<Ei}t  i.  1.  'Ml  ffiibrara 


Nortti  (Earolina  ^tat?  HmtrerHitg 

Z.  SMITH  REYNOLDS 
FOUNDATION 

COLLECTION  IN 
SCIENCE  AND  TECHNOLOGY 


THE  — 


COMPLETE  FJRRIER, 

OB 

HOESE-DOCTOE. 

A  TREATISE  ON  THE  DISEASES  OF 

HORSES: 

WEITTEN  IN  PLAIN  LANGUAGE,  V>'HICH  THOSe:  WHO  CAN  SEAD 
MAY  EASILY  UNDERSTAND. 

THE     WHOLE     BEIKG     THE     RESULT     OF 

SEVENTY  YEARS  EXTENSIVE  I'RACTICE  OF  THE  AU'I  H OR. 

JOHN  C.  KNOWLSON. 


MflJSYOFTHF.  RECIPES  IS  THIS  BOOK  ARE  WORTH  ONE  HUNDRED  DOLLAKS   nACH, 

AND  THE  WHOLE  ARE  NEW  TO  THE  WORLD. 


(^Xv*  J)l)Ualiclp!)ia: 

^^Q    T.  B.>^ETERSON,  No.  9S  CHESNUT  STREET. 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 

in  2009  with  funding  from 

NCSU  Libraries 


http://www.archive.org/details/completefarrieroOOI<now 


AUIHOR^S  PREFACE. 


About  twenty  years  ago  many  people  pressed  me  much  to  write  a  treatise  on 
HuRSBS  ;  but  I  then  refused,  thinking  that  one  of  my  own  family  would  succeed 
me  in  the  business  of  a  Farrier  ;  but  my  hopes  are  cut  off,  and  now,  at  the  age 
of  nearly  ninety  years,  it  is  my  duty  to  do  what  I  can  to  benefit  my  fellow-crea- 
tures, and  I  thank  my  God  that  it  is  both  in  my  heart  and  in  my  power  to  do  so. 
For  this  reason  this  little  book  is  sent  out  into  the  world,  and  it  is  my  hope  that 
many  may  be  benefitted  by  it.  Should  it  be  an  instrument  of  good  to  one  poor 
man's  horse,  it  will  be  a  blessing  ;  but  it  may  be  useful  in  saving  thousands. 
A  true  explanation  of  the  disorders,  and  safe  and  easy  medicines  for  the  cure  of 
horses,  are  laid  down  in  it  in  the  plainest  language — not  that  of  a  learned  writer, 
but  for  a  poor  man's  reading.  I  do  not  mean  to  make  easy  things  hard,  but  hard 
things  easy ;  and  hope  that  my  readers  will  be  candid  enough  to  consider  well 
before  they  cast  any  reflections  upon  it.  I  do  not  know  that  there  are  errors  in 
it,  but  possibly  there  may  be,  considering  my  old  age.  I  can  truly  say  it  is  writ- 
ten from  experience  alone,  as  there  is  not  one  borrowed  receipt  in  it,  therefore 
it  must  be  new  to  the  world  :  and  I  have  no  other  motive  than  to  do  good.  One 
word  as  to  drugs.  When  you  buy  them,  be  careful  to  have  them  good,  as  drug- 
gists are  not  always  to  be  depended  on  for  having  good  articles.  The  safest 
way  is  to  buy  them  in  their  natural  state,  and  to  powder  them  as  you  want  them. 
Do  not  be  too  hasty  in  giving  medicines,  but  let  one  operate  before  you  give 
another.  Great  hurt  is  often  done  by  being  too  hasty.  I  wish  also  to  caution 
you  against  taking  advice  of  people  who  neither  know  the  disorders  of  Horses, 
nor  how  to  prescribe  a  remedy  for  them.  No  man  can  prescribe  proper  medi- 
cines except  he  has  a  true  knowledge  of  herbs,  roots,  minerals  and  compounds, 
and  how  they  operate.  The  first  thing  a  Horse-doctor  should  do  when  he  begins 
business,  is  to  get  well  acquainted  with  drugs,  and  tlien  with  the  disorders ;  but 
tnese  things  cannot  be  done  without  much  practice.  Some  people  are  very  fluent 
at  the  tongue  ;  and  if  they  know  the  names  of  a  few  drugs,  and  a  disorder  or 
two,  they  blow  up  loudly,  and  bring  forward  tlie  names  of  the  drugs  they  have 
learnt,  whether  they  are  good  for  the  disorder  or  not ;  but  in  tliis  little  treatise 
tiiere  is  not  one  thing  mentioned  that  will  not  bear  the  strictest  scrutiny. 


THE  NAME  AND  SITUATION  OF  THE  EXTERNAL 
PARTS  OF  A  HORSE. 


The  Fore-part. 

1  The  P'orehead. 

2  The  Temples. 

2  Cavity  above  the  Eyes. 

4  The  Jaw. 

5  The  Lips. 

C  The  Nostrils. 

7  The  Tip  of  the  Nose. 

8  The  Chin. 

9  The  Beard. 

10  The  Neck. 

11  The  Mane. 

12  The  Tore-top. 

13  The  Throat. 
\\  The  Withers. 

15  The  Shoulders. 

16  The  Chest. 

17  The  Elbow. 

18  The  Arm. 

19  The  Plate  Vein. 

20  The  Chesn-it. 

21  The  Knee. 

22  The  Shank. 

23  The  back  Sinews, 

or  Main  Tendons. 


;^" 

"^■'■'""X'^^Jl^ 

24 

The 

Fetlock  Joint. 

25 

The 

Fetlock. 

2() 

The 

Pastern. 

27 

The 

Coronet. 

28 

The 

Hoof. 

29 

Tlie  Quarters. 

30 

The 

Toe. 

31 

The 

Heel. 

The  Body. 

32 

The 

Reins. 

33 

The 

Fillets. 

34 

The 

Ribs. 

35 

The 

Belly. 

36 

The 

Flanks. 

The 

Hind-part* 

37 

The 

Rump. 

33 

Tho 

Tail. 

3.9 

The 

Buttocks. 

40 

Tho 

Haiinchos. 

41 

Tho 

Stiffle. 

42 

The 

Thighs. 

43 

Tlie  Hock. 

44 

The 

Tnstep. 

45 

Tho 

Point  of  the  Hocl 

INDEX 


(Jlneral  iJcmarks,  . 

/[ow  to  Choose  a  Horse, 

A  Cold,     . 

A  Cough  and  Asthma, 

I'he  Cholic  or  Gripes, 

Tlie  Flatulent  or  Windy  Cholic, 

Tiie  Bilious  or  Inflammatory  Cholic^ 

The  Dry  Gripes, 

Worms  and  Bots, 

Tiie  Yellows  or  Jaundice, 

The  Staggers,  . 

Convulsions,  or  the  Stag  Evil, 

Fevers,     .... 

A  Compound  Fever, 

A  Broken  Wind, 

A  Consumption, 

A  Scouring,  and  other  Disorders  of  tlie  Intestines, 

Disorders  of  the  Kidneys  and  Bladder, 

The  Molten  Grease, 

A  Surfeit, 

The  Hidebound, 

The  Mange, 

The  Farcy  or  Farcin, 

The  Water  Fatcy,     . 

Sprains,    . 

The  Bone  Spavin, 

The  Blood  or  Bog  Spavin, 

A  Corb,    . 

A.  Ring  Bone,  . 

Mallenders  and  Sallenders, 


Paga 
7 
7 
10 
1-2 
13 
14 
16 
17 
17 
19 
21 
21 
23 
25 
27 
30 
31 
33 
35 
36 
3S 
39 
40 
43 
44 
49 
50 
51 
51 
51 


Tl  INDBZ. 

The  Strangles, 61 

The  Glanders, 63 

Swellings  and  Imposthuraes, 63 

Wounds, 64 

Hurts  in  the  Feet, 63 

A  Twitter-Bone, 56 

A  Fistula,  and  Bruises  of  the  Withers 515 

^Vaib  es,  Girth-Galls,  and  Plushes  from  Saddles,        ...  67 

Windgalls, 58 

The  Grease, ,58 

Scratches, 6U 

The  Crown  Scab, 59 

Directions  for  Managing  a  Horse  on  a  Journev,          .         .         .         ,  60 

Directions  for  Riding,  and  for  Breaking  a  Horse  in,    .         .                  .  SS 


THE   COMPLETE   FARRIER. 


GENERAL   REMARKS. 

Of  all  things  that  the  great  Creator  has  made  for  the  use  of  Man, 
tlie  Horse  is  the  most  serviceable.  It  is  also  the  most  tractable,  if 
broken  in  when  young;  but  if  not,  it  becomes  restive  and  stubborn. 
No  creature  is  worse  used  among  the  brutish  part  of  mankind. 

There  are  only  three  kinds  of  Uiese  useful  creatures,  viz.  the  Horse, 
the  Ass,  and  the  Zebra  :  but  by  crossing  the  breeds,  many  diflerent 
sorts  are  produced.  You  may  raise  a  cross  breed  from  a  horse,  with 
an  ass,  but  you  can  go  no  further.  We  cannot  learn  with  certainty 
froin  history  from  wlience  horses  came  at  first,  but  it  is  very  likely 
from  Asia ;  although  the  e."ttensive  plains  of  Africa  abound  with  them, 
and  they  run  wild  in  many  other  parts  of  the  world,  where  the  natives 
know  no  other  use  of  them  than  to  eat  their  flesh. 

In  more  civilized  countries  tiie  horse  becomes  more  tractable,  and 
then,  and  not  till  then,  its  proper  value  appears.  Our  own  country 
may  challenge  all  nations  for  a  good  breed  of  horses,  proper  for  all 
uses.  We  have  them  from  8  to  18  hands  high ;  some  as  heavy  as  any 
in  the  world,  and  some  very  small ;  some  calculated  for  swiftness,  and 
some  for  drudgery ;  and  some  which  are  kept  for  show,  and  are  of  lit- 
tle use  :  but  that  is  the  fault  of  the  owner,  and  not  of  the  horse. 

Many  of  these  useful  creatures  are  slaughtered  by  sinful  men,  and 
many  are  illtreated  through  that  abominable  practice  and  soul -destroy- 
ing evil — drunkenness;  and  these  poor  animals,  which  are  so  useful 
to  man,  are  hungered,  whipt,  and  illtreated  many  other  ways.  A 
horse  is  agreeable  for  its  beauty,  as  well  as  valuable  for  its  useful- 
ness :  but  neither  of  these  things  prevents  wicked  men  from  using  iiim 
ill.  But  it  is  not  my  intention  to  give  you  a  history  of  the  horse  in 
this  little  treatise,  but  to  inform  you  how  to  cure  it  when  out  o^i»ealth. 

HOW    TO   CHOOSE    A    HORSE. 

In  my  time  I  have  bought  and  sold  hundreds  of  horses,  as  well  as 
had  thousands  under  my  care  when  unwell,  but  still  I  am  at  a  loss  how 
to  Tive  mv  readers  proper  directions  how  to  choose  one;  for  among  ail 
the  difRculties  attending  the  common  affairs  of  life,  there  is  not  perhaps 
a  greater  than  tliat  of  choosing  a  good  hor.se ;  nor  will  this  appear 
strano-e  when  we  consider  the  number  of  niceties  attending  this  animal, 
with  regard  to  its  shape  and  manner  of  going,  which  are  so  numerous 
that  it  would  fill  a  volume  to  describe  them.  Indeed,  the  best  judges 
are  obliged  to  content  themselves  with  guessing  at  some  things,  unless 
a  sufficient  trial  be  allowed. 

The  Eyes  are  the  first  things  to  alter  d  to,  and  should  be  well  exam- 
ined,  as  the  best  judges  are  often  deceived  in  them.      Clearness  of  the 


8  THE    COMPLETE    FARRIER. 

Eyes  is  a.  sure  indication  of  their  goodness;  but  this  is  not  all  thai 
should  be  attended  to :  the  eyelids,  eyebrows,  and  all  the  other  parts, 
must  also  be  considered  ;  for  many  horses  whose  eyes  appear  clear  and 
brilliant  go  blind  at  seven  or  cirrht  years  old.  Therefore  be  carelul  to 
observe  whether  the  parts  between  the  eyelids  and  the  eyebrows  are 
(toe  from  bunches,  and  whether  the  parts  round  the  under  eyelids  be 
full,  or  swelled  ;  for  these  are  indications  that  the  eyes  will  not  last. 
\Vlien  the  eyes  are  remarkably  flat,  or  sunk  within  their  orbits,  it  is  a 
bad  sif^n  ;  also  when  they  look  dead  and  lifeless.  The  Iris,  or  circle 
that  surrounds  the  sight  of  the  eye,  should  be  distinct,  and  of  a  pale, 
Variegated,  cinnamon  color,  for  this  is  always  a  sure  sign  of  a  good 
eye. 

When  the  horse  is  first  led  out  of  a  dark  stable  into  a  strong  light,  be 
sure  to  observe  whether  he  v/rinkles  his  brow,  and  looks  upwards  to  re- 
ceive more  light ;  for  that  shews  his  eyes  to  be  bad.  But  if  you  observe 
llial  the  dimensions  of  the  piipil  are  large,  and  that  they  contract  upon 
his  coming  into  a  strong  light,  it  is  almost  an  infallible  sign  that  his 
e}"es  are  good. 

Sometimes  what  are  called  Haws  grow  on  the  corner  of  the  eye,  ami 
get  so  large  that  they  infect  the  eye,  and  cause  the  horse  to  go  blind, 
You  may  take  them  out,  and  although  it  will  disfigure  the  eye,  yet  i\ 
will  be  little  worse. 

In  the  next  place  examine  the  Teeth,  as  you  would  not  wish  to  pur- 
chase an  old  horse,  nor  a  very  young  one  for  service.  A  horse  han 
six  teeth  above,  and  six  below,  in  the  fore-mouth,  which  are  called  th<i 
Ciitting-Teeih.  At  two  years  and  a  half  old  it  changes  two  on  the  toj> 
and  two  on  the  bottom,  which  are  called  the  Nippers  ;  at  three  yearn 
and  a  half  it  changes  two  others,  called  the  Separaters  ;  at  four  and  a 
naif  it  changes  tlie  Nook  Teeth ;  and  at  five  years  old  has  a  full  mouth ; 
when  the  Tusks,  commonly  called  the  Bridle-Fangs,  rise. 

Horse-dealers  have  a  trick  of  knocking  out  the  nook  teeth  at  threo 
years  and  a  half,  to  make  the  horse  appear  five  years  old  when  only 
four  ;  but  they  cannot  raise  the  tusks.  At  six  years  old  the  Nook 
Teeth  are  a  little  hollow,  and  at  seven  there  is  a  black  mark,  like  the 
end  of  a  ripe  bean.  Afterwards  you  will  observe  the  flesh  to  shrink 
from  the  teeth,  which  grow  long  and  yellow. 

Horse-dealers  have  also  a  method  which  they  call  Bishoping  a 
horse's  month  ;  that  is,  filing  the  tusks  shorter,  rounding  them  at  the 
ends,  taking  a  little  out  of  the  nook  teeth,  so  as  to  make  them  rather 
hollow,  and  then  burning  them  with  a  hot  iron.  I  was  hired  by  An- 
thony Johnson,  of  Wiiicolmlee,  Hull,  as  farrier  to  a  numT)er  of  ho-r- 
ses  that  were  going  to  the  city  of  Moscow,  in  Russia,  for  sale,  aaid  we 
had  a  little  grey  stoned  horse,  called  Peattim,  that  was  seventeen 
years  old,  the  mouth  of  which  I  bishoped,  and  he  passed  for  six  years 
old,  and  was  the  first  horse  sold,  and  for  j£.300  English  money  !  I  only 
mention  this  as  a  caution  to  horsc-buycrs. 

The  Feet  should  next  be  regarded ;  for  a  horse  with  bad  feet  is  like 
a  house  with  a  weak  foundation,  and  will  do  little  service.  Tlio  feet 
should  be  smooth  and  tough,  of  a  middle  size,  without  wrinkles,  and 
neither  loo  hard  and  brittle,  nor  too  soft  j  the  Heels  should  be  firm. 


THE    COMPLETE    FARRIER.  8 

ana  i>ot  spongy  and  rotten  ;  the  Frogs  horny  and  dry ;  and  the  Soles 
soniewhat  liollo\^,  like  the  inside  oi'  a  dish  or  bowl.  Such  feet  will 
never  disappoint  your  expectations,  and  such  only  should  be  chosen. 

Particular  regard  should  be  had  to  the  Shoulders  j  they  should  not 
be  too  much  loaded,  tor  a  horse  with  heavy  shoulders  can  never  move 
well ;  and  on  the  other  hand,  one  that  has  very  thin  shoulders,  and  a 
narrow  chest,  though  he  may  move  briskly  so  long  as  he  is  sound,  yet 
he  is  generally  weak,  and  easily  lamed  in  the  shoulders;  a  medium 
should  therefore  be  chosen. 

Be  careful  to  observe  the  creature's  Motions, — that  the  sJioidders, 
knees,  and  pasterns  all  act  together,  and  have  but  one  spring  of  motion, 
for  in  that  case  alone  can  they  be  said  to  move  well. 

The  Limbs  should  be  free  from  *Splenis  and  ^Windgalh.  The 
Kiiees  should  be  straight,  and  not  bending,  or  what  is  called  a  calf's 
knee:  the  Back-sinews  strong  and  well  braced:  the  Pastern  Joints 
clean,  and  free  from  swellings  of  all  kinds  ;  and  the  Hocks  lean  and 
dry,  and  free  from  '^Spavins,  ^Corbs  and  Flatulent  Tumors. 

The  Body,  or  Carcass,  should  neither  be  too  small  nor  too  large. 
The  Back  should  be  straight,  or  have  only  a  moderate  sinking  below 
the  Withers :  for  when  the  back  of  a  horse  is  low,  or  higher  behind 
than  belbre,  it  is  both  very  ugly  and  a  sign  of  weakness.  The  back 
sliould  also  be  of  a  proper  length.  Tlie  Ribs  should  be  large,  the 
Flanks  smooth  and  full,  and  the  Hind-parts,  or  vppennost  Haunches,  not 
higher  than  the  shoulders.  When  the  horse  trots  before  you,  observe 
if  his  haunches  cover  his  fore-knees.  A  horse  with  a  short  hind- 
quarter  does  not  look  well. 

The  next  thing  to  be  regarded  in  a  horse  is  his  Wind,  which  may 
be  easily  judged  of  by  the  motion  of  his  flanks.  A  broken-winded 
horse  always  pinches  in  his  flanks,  with  a  very  slow  motion,  and 
drops  them  suddenly,  which  may  be  easily  perceived.  Many  horses 
breathe  thick  that  are  not  broken-winded ;  indeed,  any  horse  will  in 
foggy  weather,  or  if  foul  fed,  without  sufficient  exercise ;  but  if  a 
horse  has  been  in  good  keeping,  and  liad  proper  exercise,  and  yet  has 
these  symptoms,  tliere  is  some  defect,  either  natural  or  accidental ; 
such  as  a  narrov/  chest,  or  some  cold  that  has  aifected  the  lungs. 

There  are  other  particulars  that  should  be  observed  in  choosing  a 
horse.  If  his  Hcado  be  large  and  fleshy,  and  his  Neck  thick  and  gross, 
ha  will,  always  go  heavy  on  the  hand,  and  therefore  such  should  never 
be  chosen.  A  horse  that  has  his  Hocks  very  wide,  seldom  moves  well, 
aad  one  that  has  them  too  near  will  chafe  and  cut  his  legs  by  crossing 
them.  Fleshy-legged  horses  are  generally  subject  to  the  Grease,  and 
other  infirmities  of  that  kind,  and  therefore  should  not  be  chosen. 

The  Temper  of  a  horse  should  be  particularly  attended  to;  because 

•  There  arc  four  kinds  of  Splonts  ;  viz.  The  Bone  Sjilent,  tlie  Blood  Splcnt,  the  Oase- 
lot,  and  the  Ftorn  Spleiit. 

v)  Windsrulls  nrc  ?ot"t  Tumors,  seated  on  eitlier  sids  of  th"  Fetlock  Joint. 

t  There  are  two  kind?  of  Sptivins;  viz.  The  Blood  S]>in  in  which  lies  in  the  joint  c.f  the 
hind  leg,  soincthiii<r  like  a  Wind-gall,  going  quite  through  the  joint,  and  i3  then  ciilled  a 
Thorough  Pin  :  and  ili"-  15one  ISpnvin,  which  lies  just  below  the  joint,  on  the  inside,  and  is 
tailed  t)V  dealers  a  I)rv  Knot,  or. lack. 

y  A.  (Jorb  lies  on  the  back  side  of  the  hind-V;g,  near  the  lower  part  ofthe  joiat. 


10  THE   COMPLETE    FARRIER. 

if  his  temper  be  good,  it  greatly  augments  h/.s  value,  and  if  bad,  it 

exposes  him  to  many  accidents.  It  is  difficult  to  discover  the  temper 
of  a  horse  without  a  proper  trial,  which  should  always  be  obtained, 
if  possible.  Fear  is  an  impediment  which  greatly  lessens  the  value 
of  a  horse;  for  a  fearful  horse  endangers  both  biinself  and  his  rider. 
Almost  every  day  affords  us  melanclioly  instances  of  persons  being 
hurt  or  killed  by  fearful  horses ;  and  many  horses  are  utterly  spoiled 
by  accidents  that  happen  from  their  fcarfulness.  A  fearful  horse 
may  be  known  at  first  sight  by  his  starting,  crouching,  and  creeping. 

A  hot  and  fretful  horse  is  also  to  be  avoided,  but  the  buyer  should 
be  careful  to  distinguish  between  a  hot,  fretful  horse,  and  one  that  is 
eager  and  craving.  The  former  begins  to  fret  the  moment  he  is  out 
of  the  stable,  and  continues  in  that  humor  till  he  has  quite  fatigued 
himself;  and  the  latter  only  endeavors  to  be  foremost  in  the  field, 
and  is  truly  valuable ;  he  has  those  qualities  that  resemble  prudence 
ana  courage ;  the  other  those  that  resemble  intemperate  heat  and 
rasni:ess. 

Waen  dealers  have  had  a  horse  some  time  in  their  stables,  they 
exercise  him  with  a  whip  two  or  three  times  a  day ;  so  that  when  a 
Chapman  goes  to  look  at  him,  they  have  only  to  stir  their  hand  with 
the  whip  in  it,  and  it  is  hard  to  say  whether  the  horse  be  lame  or  not, 
it  being  so  fearful  of  a  drubbing,  that  a  good  judge  may  be  deceived, 

A  horse  that  goes  with  his  fore- feet  low  is  very  apt  to  stumble  ; 
and  there  are  some  that  go  so  near  the  ground  that  they  stumble 
most  on  even  road;  and  the  dealers,  to  remedy  tliis,  put  heavy  shoes 
on  their  feet,  for  the  heavier  a  horse's  shoes  are  the  higher  he  will 
lift  his  feet.  Care  also  should  be  taken  that  the  horse  does  not  cut 
one  leg  with  the  other.  A  horse  that  goes  near  the  ground  will  cut 
the  low  side  of  the  fetlock  joint,  but  one  that  goes  high  cuts  below  the 
knee,  which  is  called  the  speedy  cut.  A  horse  that  lifts  his  feet  high 
genej'ally  trots  fast,  but  is  not  the  easiest  for  the  rider.  Some  horses 
cut  with  the  spurn  of  the  foot,  and  some  with  the  heel ;  but  this  you 
may  soon  perceive  by  their  standing ;  for  if  a  horse  points  the  front 
of  his  foot  inward,  he  cuts  with  the  spurn,  and  if  outward  witli  the 
heel. 

These  few  instructions  may  be  of  use  in  purchasing  horses ;  but  I 
advise  every  one  to  get  some  experimental  knowledge  of  them  before 
he  trusts  to  his  own  judgment,  for  the  dealers  have  so  many  arts  to 
hide  the  defects  of  their  horses,  that  the  best  judges  are  often  de'ceived. 

A    COLD. 

This  is  su'ib  a  common  disease,  that  many  people  look  upon  il 
with  indiffou,/(ce ;  but  ihrrc  are  fexo  disorders  incident  to  horses,  jvkich 
do  not  more  or  less  derive  their  origin  from  a  Cold.  But,  as  only  those 
who  are  used  to  horses  can  tell  when  they  have  got  this  disease,  it 
will  be  necessary  to  describe  tlie  nature  of  a  cold,  and  the  usual 
symptoms  that  attend  it. 

Causes  or  Colds.  These  are  various ;  but  the  most  usual  are, 
riding  the  horse  till  he  is  hot,  and  then  suffering  him  to  stand  still. 


THE    COMPLETE    FARRIER.  11 

exposed  to  the  cold  air ;  removing  him  from  a  liot  stable  to  a  cold 
f»ne:  (if  the  horse  have  been  high-fed,  and  clothed,  the  cold  contract- 
ed in  this  manner  often  proves  very  violent ;  and  tliis  is  the  reason 
why  horses  often  catch  a  severe  cold  on  their  first  coming  out  of  the 
dealer's  hands:)  neglecting  to  rub  him  properly  down,  and  to  rub 
.he  sweat  carefully  off  when  he  comes  in  from  a  journey : — and  I 
have  known  grievous  disorders  brought  on  by  removing  iiorses  into  a 
new  stable  before  the  walls  and  plastering  were  dry.  Workmen  are 
often  in  fault  for  not  leaving  air-holes  above ;  as  when  a  horse  comes 
into  a  new  stable,  and  gathers  heat,  it  will  cause  the  walls  and  plas- 
tering to  sweat  very  much,  especially  if  there  are  no  air-holes  left.* 
Many  a  horse  has  lost  his  eyes,  and  some  their  lives,  by  being  put 
into  new  stables  before  they  were  dry. 

Many  farmers  and  tradesmen  get  too  much  drink  when  they  go  to 
market,  and  then  set  off  for  home,  riding  like  madmen,  and  call  at 
some  public-house  on  the  road  to  get  more  of  the  soul  and  body  ie- 
•stroying  evil,  leaving  their  horses  to  stand  sweating  at  the  door,  where 
It  is  no  wonder  that  they  get  cold.  Waggoners,  carters,  and  coal- 
carriers,  are  also  often  guilty  of  this  abominable  practice. 

SvMPTOMS.  When  a  horse  has  caught  cold,  a  cough  will  follow, 
and  he  will  be  heavy  and  dull  in  proportion  to  the  severity  of  the 
disease :  his  eyes  will  be  watery ;  the  kernels  about  his  ears,  and 
under  his  jaws,  will  swell,  and  a  thin  mucous  gleet  will  run  from  his 
nose.  If  the  cold  be  violent,  the  horse  will  be  feverish ;  his  flanks 
will  heave,  and  he  will  refuse  his  food.  The  owners  should  be  very 
careful  to  observe  these  last  symptoms,  because  when  they  appear, 
and  are  attended  with  a  slimy  mouth,  cold  ears  and  feet,  moist  eyes, 
and  a  great  inward  soreness,  there  is  danger  of  a  fever,  and  generally 
of  a  malignant  kind.  But  when  the  horse  coughs  strongly,  and 
snorts  after  it,  eats  scalded  bran,  and  drinks  warm  water,  is  not  much 
off  his  stomach,  moves  briskly  in  his  stall,  dungs  and  stales  freely, 
and  without  pain,  his  skin  feels  kindly,  and  his  coat  does  not  stare, 
there  is  no  danger,  nor  any  occasion  for  medicine.  You  should, 
however,  bleed  him,  keep  him  warm,  give  him  some  feeds  of  scalded 
bran,  and  let  him  drink  warm  water. 

The  Cure.  If  the  horse  feel  hot,  and  refuse  his  meat,  it  will  be 
necessary  to  bleed  him  plentifully,  and  to  give  the  following  drink. 

2  oz.  of  Juice  of  Liquorice. 
2  do.  Salt  of  Tartar. 
2  drams  of  SaflVon. 
2  ounces  of  Honey. 

Cut  the  juice  small,  dissolve  all  together  in  hot  water,  and  give  il 
nearly  cold.  This  drink  may  be  repeated  as  occasion  requires,  but 
.el  twenty-four  liours  elapse  first.     Or  give — 

4  oz.  of  Aniseeds. 
2  do.  Liquorice  Hoot. 
1   do.  Gum  Scaiiimonv. 
1  do.  Nitre. 

Boil  i\  ese  togviher  U  three  pints  of  water  for  ten  or  twelve  mmules; 


12  THE    COMPLETE    FARRIER. 

Strain  the  liquor  through  a  cloth;  and  add  two  ouiict*  of  honey  ti»  i* 
when  you  give  it  to  the  horse. 

It  is  a  common  practice  with  Farriers  to  give  a  drench  composed 
of  hot,  nauseous  powders,  in  a  quantity  of  ale  ;  but  this  is  a  very 
bad  practice,  for  it  heats  the  blood,  and  consequently  increases  the 
fever;  and  at  the  same  time  the  powders  pall  the  horse's  stomach  by 
tlieir  loathsomeness.  The  following  ball,  commonly  called  The  Cor 
dial  Ball,  is  one  of  the  best  yet  found  out  for  couglis  or  colds  either 
in  horse  or  man,  and  is  much  preferable  to  the  horse-balls  commonly 
sold  at  the  druggists'  shops,  and  too  often  made  of  bad  ingredients. 
«  Be  careful  to  get  your  drugs  good,  for  this  ball  is  of  great  worth  in 
many  disorders,  both  in  racers,  hunters,  and  road  horses.  Few  things 
will  remove  a  cough  or  a  cold,  or  clear  a  horse's  wind,  sooner  or 
better.  Mr.  Markliam  recommended  one  something  like  it,  which  is 
called  Markham's  Ball ;  but  you  may  depend  on  it.  that  mine  much 
exceeds  it  in  value. 

Take  of  Aniseeds  Powdi'r,  Feiiu^reok,  Liquorice  Powder,  Elecumpane  Powder,  Flour 
of  Brimstone,  ouch  4  ounces;  Gruiiis  of  Paradise,  in  fine  powder,  ti  ounces;  4  ounces 
of  Liiiiuirice,  cut  suiall,  iuid  dissolved  in  White  Wine;  1  ounce  of  SailVon,  pound- 
ed small ;  1  ounce  of  Oil  of  Aniseeds;  8  ounces  of  Olive  Oil ;  and  8  ounces  of  Honey. 

Bray  them  all  well  together  till  they  come  into  paste,  and  if  they 
should  be  too  dry,  add  a  little  more  olive  oil  and  honey.  The  dose  is 
about  two  ounces,  and  may  be  given  three  or  four  times  a  day,  if 
needful.  These  balls  consisting  of  warm,  opening  ingredients,  are 
of  great  use;  and  given  in  small  quantities,  about  the  size  of  a  pullet's 
egg,  will  encourage  a  free  perspiration ;  but  in  case  of  a  Fever  they 
should  be  given  with  the  greatest  caution. 

It  will  be  of  great  use  to  put  scalding-hot  bran  into  the  manger, 
that  the  horse  may  hold  his  head  over  it,  and  receive  the  steam  up 
his  nostrils,  which  will  cause  a  running  from  them,  and  relieve  him 
very  much.  1  have  known  asarabacca,  dried  and  rubbed  to  powder, 
and  blown  up  the  nostrils,  to  cause  a  discharge  ;  for  when  a  horse 
has  caught  a  violent  cold,  he  is  often  troubled  with  a  pain  in  his  head, 
which  a  good  discharge  at  the  nose  is  very  likely  to  cure.  For  the 
same  purpose  the  horse  should  be  warmly  clothed,  especially  about 
the  head,  neck  and  throat;  as  it  has  a  tendency  to  promote  a  running 
at  the  nostrils. 

By  this  simple  method,  v/ith  proper  care,  hot  mashes,  and  warm 
water,  most  colds  may  be  cured;  and  as  soon  as  the  horse  begins 
to  feed  heartily,  and  snorts  after  coughing,  an  hour's  exercise  every 
day  v/ill  greatly  hasten  the  cure.  If  the  legs  swell,  and  the  horse 
be  full  of  flesh,  rowels  are  necessary. 

A    COUGH,   AND    ASTHMA. 

Among  all  the  diseases  to  which  this  noble  creature  is  subject,  none 
has  given  more  perplexity  to  Farriers  than  a  settled  Cough;  indeed 
it  too  often  defies  all  ttie  attempts  of  art,  and  the  iiorse  frequently  be- 
comes Asthma ti ceil,  or  Broken-winded. 

Causes.     The  causes  are  various.     Sometimes  it  is  owing  to  colds 


THE    COMPLETE    FARRIER.'  13 

hnpeifectly  cured  ;  sometimes  to  pleurises,  or  malignant  fevers,  which 
have  left  a  taint  upon  the  lungs  or  other  vessels ;  sometimes  to  small 
eruptions  in  the  glands,  which  cause  the  lungs  to  be  much  larger  than 
tney  ouglit  be,  and  a  quantity  of  phlegm,  and  mucilaginous  juices,  to 
stuff  up  the  glands  and  branches  of  the  windpipe;  and  sometimes  to 
fleshy  substances  engendered  in  the  large  blood-vessels;  for  all  these 
things  hinder  a  free  respiration,  and  excite  a  cough. 

It  is  of  the  utmost  importance  to  distinguish  one  kind  of  cough  from 
another,  and  this  makes  the  disorder  so  hard  to  cure  :  for  it  cannot  be 
cured  till  the  seat  of  the  complaint  be  found  out. 

If  the  cough  be  of  long  standing,  attended  with  a  loss  of  appetite, 
wasting  of  flesh,  and  weakness,  it  denotes  a  Consumption :  and  that 
the  lungs  are  full  of  knotty,  hard  substances,  called  tubercles.  When 
the  cough  proceeds  from  phlegm,  and  mucilaginous  matter  stuffing  up 
tiie  vessels  of  the  lungs,  the  flanks  have  a  sudden,  quick  motion,  the 
horse  breathes  thick,  but  not  with  his  nostrils  distended  like  one  that 
iiii  broken -winded;  his  cough  is  sometimes  moist,  and  sometimes  dry 
and  husky;  before  he  coughs  he  wheezes,  and  sometimes  throws  out 
of  his  nose  or  mouth  large  pieces  of  white  phlegm,  especially  after 
drinking,  or  when  he  begins  or  ends  his  exercise ;  and  this  discharge 
generally  gives  very  great  relief. 

Cure.  If  the  horse  be  full  of  flesh,  take  from  him  a  moderate 
quantity  of  blood.  The  next  day  give  him  scalded  bran,  and  in  the 
evening  the  follovvinir  ball: — 

1  oz.  of  Powder  of  Aniseeds. 

1   do.  Liquorice  Powder.         

1  dram  of  Calomel,  8  drams  to  an  oz. 

Work  them  into  a  ball  with  Barbadoes  tar.  Give  this  ball  the  last 
tiling  at  night,  and  be  careful  to  keep  the  horse  out  of  wet,  and  from 
cold  water  the  next  day.  On  the  second  morning  give  the  following 
purge : — 

1  oz.  of  Barbadoes  AIoos. 
I  do.  Castile  Soap. 
I  do.  Powdered  Ginirer. 
1  dram  Oil  of  Aniseeds. 

Bray  them  together  in  a  mortar,  with  a  little  syrup  of  buckthorn  to 
make  them  ijnto  a  ball,  which  is  to  be  given  in  the  morning;  and 
plenty  of  warm  water,  and  walking  exercise,  till  it  be  wrought  oif. 
(It  will  not  work  the  first  day.)  In  three  days  after  give  six  ounces 
of  the  Cordial  ball  in  a  little  warm  ale,  fasting,  and  to  fast  two  hours 
after.  R,epeat  the  Calomel  ball,  physic,  and  cordial  ball,  six  days 
atler,  in  the  same  manner  as  before.  Let  the  horse's  hay  be  sweet, 
and  his  manger-meat  scalded  bran,  with  a  spoonful  of  honey  in  each 
feed  : — let  him  have  walking  exe*i"cise  in  the  open  air,  but  be  careful 
of  wet  and  of  cold  water. 

When  this  course  has  been  pursued  two  or  three  times,  give  two 
or  three  ounces  of  the  cordial  ball  every  morning.  The  above  method 
will  icmove  most  Coughs,  but  if  it  fail,  try  the  following: — 

1  o7,.  of  Gum  Ainmoniacum,  in  fine  powder 
J  do.  Gnm  Gailiannm,  in  ))owder. 

'J  drams  of  Salfrfin,  brayed, 

2  do.    Assafuitida,  in  powder. 


14  THE    COMPLETE    FARRIER. 

VVork  idem  up  with  honey,  or  Barbadoes  tar,  into  one  ball ;  roll  it  in 
liquorice  powder,  and  give  it  fasting,  and  to  fast  two  hours  after. 
This  ball  must  be  given  every  morning,  for  six  or  seven  times,  before 
it  can  have  a  fair  trial ;  but  if  the  horse  be  not  a  good  one  it  will  be 
thought  too  expensive.  In  the  cure  of  this  disease,  the  diet  should  be 
very  moderate,  the  usual  quantity  of  hay  should  be  abridged,  and 
sprinkled  with  water,  and  the  usual  allowance  of  corn  and  water  di- 
vided into  several  portions  ;  for  with  these  regulations  in  diet  the 
disease  will  soon  be  cured;  and  whore  it  is  incurable,  the  horse  wirll 
De  so  far  recovered  as  to  be  able  to  do  a  great  deal  of  work. 

It  rnay  not  be  improper  here  to  add  that  some  young  horses  are  sub- 
ject to  coughs  when  cutting  their  teeth,  and  their  eyes  are  also  affect- 
ted  from  the  same  cause.  In  these  cases  always  bleed,  and  if  the 
cough  be  obstinate,  repeat  it :  and  give  warm  mashes,  which  are  often 
sufficient  alone  to  remove  the  complaint. 

When  young  horses  have  a  cough  that  is  caused  by  worms,  as  is 
often  the  case,  such  medicines  must  be  given  as  are  proper  to  de- 
stroy those  vermin,  of  which  I  shall  inform  you  in  the  chapter  on 
worms. 

THE   CHOLIC,  OR   GRIPES. 

This  disorder  is  little  understood  by  common  Farriers,  and  has  for 
a  long  time  been  a  secret  to  many,  so  that  many  a  horse  has  been  lost 
in  it  that  might  have  been  saved.  The  same  medicines  have  gener- 
ally been  given  to  horses  in  the  Cholic  as  in  the  dry  gripes,  when 
there  is  much  difference  in  the  disorders. 

The  Cholic  proceeds  from  various  causes,  therefore  the  method  of 
cure  varies  ;  for  otherwise  the  medicines  intended  to  cure  it  may  in- 
crease it,  and  perhaps  render  it  fatal.  We  shall  therefore  divide  this 
disorder  into  three  different  species,  and  endeavor  to  give  such  plain 
directions  for  managing  each,  as  cannot  fail  to  prove  very  beneficial. 
The  three  species  are  these : — 

1.  The  Flatulent  or  Windy  Chof.ic. 

2.  Thk  Bilious  or  Inklammatory  Cholic. 

3.  The  Dry  Gripes. 

THE   FLATULENT   OR   WINDY   CHOLIC. 

Symptoms.  The  horse  is  very  restless,  lying  down  and  starting  up 
again.  He  strikes  his  belly  with  his  hind-feet,  stamps  with  his  fore- 
feet, and  refuses  his  meat.  W^hen  the  pain  is  violent,  he  has  convul- 
sive twitches ;  his  eyes  are  turned  up,  and  his  limbs  stretched  out,  as 
if  dying ;  and  his  ears  and  feet  alternately  cold  ;  he  falls  into  profuse 
s\s  eats,  and  then  into  cold  damps ;  often  tries  to  stale,  and  turns  his 
head  frequently  to  his  flanks  ;  he  then  falls  down,  rolls  about,  and 
ofren  turns  on  his  back.  This  last  symptom  proceeds  from  a  stoppage 
of  urine,  which  generally  attends  this  species  of  cholic,  and  may  be 
increased  by  a  load  of  dung  pressing  on  the  neck  of  the  bladder. 

Causes.  This  disease  often  proceeds  from  catching  cold  by  drink- 
ing cold  water  when  hot,  and  the  perspirable  matter  is  by  that  means 
thrown  upon  the  bowels,  which  causes  them  to  distend  violently,  and 


THE     COMPLETE    FARRIER.  15 

sometimes  brings  or  an  inflammation  in  the  small  intestines,  ^vhen  the 
body  begins  to  swel.,  and  the  cure  is  despaired  of. 

Cure.  The  first  thing  to  be  done  is  to  empty  the  straight  gut  with 
a  tjmall  hand,  dipped  in  oil.  This  frequently  gives  room  for  the  wind, 
before  confined  in  the  bowels,  to  discharge  itself:  and,  by  taking  off 
tne  weight  that  pressed  upon  the  neck  of  the  bladder,  the  suppression 
of  urme  is  removed,  upon  which  the  horse  immediately  stales,  and 
becomes  much  easier.  If  the  horse  be  young,  and  full  of  blood,  it 
will  be  proper  to  take  a  sufficient  quantity  of  blood  from  the  neck. 

When  these  purgative  operations  have  been  performed,  the  follow- 
ing may  be  given,  as  it  seldom  fails  to  give  relief. 

4  oz.  of  Tincture  of  Senna,  or  Daffy's  Elixir. 

6  drams  of  Tincture  of  Opium. 

1  dram  of  Oil  of  Junip  r. 

8  oz.  of  Juniper  BeiTies,  bruised. 

Put  one  quart  of  boiling  water  on  the  juniper  berries,  let  them  stand 
a  few  minutes,  strain  it  off,  put  all  together,  and  give  them  to  the 
horse. 

If  he  does  not  find  relief  soon  after  taking  this  dose,  both  by  staling 
and  breaking  wind,  it  is  doubtful  whether  he  will  receive  any  benefit 
from  it ;  so  you  must  prepare  the  following  clyster  for  him  as  soon  as 
you  can.     Take — 

Camomile  Flowers,  4  ounces;  Aniseeds,  Fennel,  and  Coriander,  2  ounces  of  each.  Boil 
them  in  1  quart  of  water,  and  add  2  oz.  of  Castile  Soap,  cut  small,  while  the  water  is 
hot,  that  tlie  soap  may  dissolve.     Give  it  blood-warm. 

During  the  fit,  the  horse  may  be  walked  about,  or  trotted  a  little, 
but  should  by  no  means  be  harassed,  or  driven  about  till  he  is  jaded. 
If  no  better,  give  the  following. 

2  drams  of  Camphor. 

1  dram  of  Pellitory  of  Spain. 

2  oz.  of  Ging^er  Powder. 

3  gills  of  Holland  Gin. 

If  the  horse  sweat  much  at  times,  and  then  falls  into  cold  sweats, 
give  four  ounces  of  mithridate,  in  three  gills  of  Holland  gin,  and  re- 
peat the  clvster.  If  the  disorder  continue  three  or  four  hours,  give 
one  ounce  of  tincture  of  opium,  in  three  gills  of  Holland  gin.  When 
the  horse  begins  to  recover,  he  will  lie  quiet,  without  starting  and 
trembling;  and  if  ho  continue  in  this  quiet  state  an  hour,  you  may 
conclude  that  the  danger  is  over.  Dress  him  down  well,  and  give 
him  a  small  quantity  of  warm  water,  if  he  will  drink  it;  bed  him 
down  well,  cover  him  to  keep  him  warm,  and  then  leave  him  to  get 
a  little  rest.  You  must  consider  that  the  disorder  has  left  a  soreness 
on  him,  both  within  and  without;  therefore,  mske  him  a  little  gruel, 
with  a  pint  of  red  wine  in  it;  and  if  any  skin  be  knocked  off"  about 
his  eyes,  or  his  huck-bones,  rub  it  with  the  bottle  recommended  for 
bruises. 

Sometimes  the  Cholic  is  received  into  the  stomach,  and  does  not  act 
so  violently,  nor  cause  the  horse's  pains  to  be  so  strong.  You  may 
best  judge  of  this  by  his  motions: — he  will  draw  his  four  feet  together, 
lay  liimself  down,  stretch  out  his  feet  and  head,  throw  his  head  back. 


If?  THE    COMPLETE    FAIlRrER. 

and  often  put  his  nose  to  his  cliest :  after  standing  a  little,  he  will  lie 
down  again  as  before.  When  the  Cholic  is  easier,  he  will  lie  for  an 
hour  or  more  together,  with  his  feet  stretched  out  and  his  head  thrown 
back,  or  with  his  nose  upon  his  ribs.  This  is  caused  by  bad  meat,  or 
bad  water,  or  both  :  sometimes  by  drinking  hard  water  when  hot,  or 
by  a  change  from  soft  grit  water  to  limestone  or  iron  water,  or  by  the 
break  of  a  storm.  I  have  had  five  or  six  horses  under  my  care  in 
this  disorder  in  one  day,  at  the  break  of  a  frost,  by  drinking  ice,  or 
snow  water.  Sour  grains,  sour  grass,  dry  meal,  dust,  bad  hay,  and 
many  other  things,  cause  this  disorder.  Give  the  following,  which  is 
almost  a  certain  cure  in  two  hours. 

1  oz.  of  Spirits  of  Sweet  Nitre. 
1  do.  of  Spirits  of  Mitre. 
1  do.  of  1  iiicture  of  Opium. 
I  do  of  Sweet  Oil. 

All  to  be  given  together  in  a  gill  of  warm  ale.  Bed  the  horse  well 
down,  and  leave  him  that  he  may  get  a  little  sleep,  after  which  he  will 
get  up,  and  fall  to  his  meat.  This  is  one  of  the  best  medicines  that 
has  yet  been  found  out.  It  has  saved  hundreds  of  horses,  and  will 
save  hundreds  more,  if  rightly  applied. 

THE    BILIOUS   OR   INFLAMMATORY   CHOLIC. 

Symptoms.  This  kind  of  Cholic,  besides  inost  of  the  symptoms  of 
the  former,  is  attended  with  a  fever,  great  heat,  panting,  and  dryness 
of  the  mouth.  The  horse  also  generally  parts  with  a  little  loose  dung, 
and  a  little  scalding-hot  water;  which,  when  it  appears  blackish,  or 
reddish,  indicates  an  approaching  mortilication. 

CURE. — Take  three  ounces  of  Senna,  and  one  ounce  of  Snl' of  Tartar ;  infaee  thmfi 
in  one  quart  of  bdiling  water  nearly  an  hour ;  then  strain  it  off,  and  add  two  ounces 
of  Lenitive  Fllccluary.aud  four  ounces  of  Glauber's  Salt.  Mix  them  when  hot,  or  they 
will  not  dissolve. 

If  the  disorder  be  not  removed  by  the  above  medicine,  but,  on  the 
contrary,  the  fever  and  inflammation  continue  to  increase,  attended 
with  a  discharge  of  flesh-colored  matter,  the  event  will  probably  be 
fatal;  and  the  only  medicine  likely  to  prevent  it,  is  a  strong  decoc- 
tion of  j(!suit's  bark,  a  pint  of  which  may  be  given  every  three  hours, 
mixed  with  a  gill  of  red  port  wine ;  or  you  may  give  one  ounce  of 
the  powder  of  bark  with  the  wine.  Or,  if  these  caimot  be  got  easily, 
give  four  ounces  of  tincture  of  rhubarb  in  three  gills  of  red  port 
wine.  Also  give  a  clyster  every  two  hours,  made  of  two  new. laid 
eggs,  well  broken,  and  two  ounces  of  London  or  Venice  treacle,  in 
one  quart  of  milk.     Give  it  warm. 

If  the  horse  recover,  it  will  be  proper  to  give  him  a  gentle  purge 
or  two  in  a  week  after.     Take 

1  oz.  Rhubarb,  in  Powder. 
J  do.  .Talap,  do. 

Work  them  up  into  a  ball  with  syrup  of  buckthorn,  and  give  it  to 
the  horse,  with  warm  water  to  work  it  ofl'. 


THE    COMi/.ETE    FARRIER. 


17 


THE   DRY  GRIPES. 

Symptoms.  This  disorder  mostly  proceeds  from  costiveness,  and 
is  discovered  by  the  horse's  frequent  and  fruitless  attempts  to  dung, 
the  blackness  and  hardness  of  the  dung,  the  frequent  motion  of  hia 
tail,  the  high  color  of  his  urine,  and  his  great  uneasiness. 

Cure.  "The  first  thing  to  be  done  is  to  draw  the  dung  out  of  the 
fundament,  with  a  small  hand,  as  far  as  you  can  reach,  and  then  givo 
the  following. 

4  oz.  of  Castor  Oil. 

4  Jo.  Tincture  of  Senna. 

^  do.  Oil  of  Juniper. 

Give  them  all  together,  and  then  the  following  clyster. 

Boil  a  handful  of  Marshniallows  and  Camomile  Flowere  in  a  quart  of  water,  then  strain 
it  oft',  and  add  two  ounces  of  Linseed  Oil,  or  Pale  Oil. 

If  the  horse  do  not  mend,  repeat  both  the  drink  and  the  clyster. 
During  this  disorder  the  horse  must  not  have  any  dry  food;  but 
boiled  linseed,  and  scalded  bran,  with  warm  water  to  drink.  Gentle 
walking  exercise  is  a  great  means  to  cause  the  physic  to  work  j  but 
be  careful  of  cold. 

From  the  account  that  I  have  given  of  the  different  species  of  the 
Cholic,  the  reader  will  be  abundantly  convinced  how  necessary  it  is 
to  be  acquainted  with  each,  that  he  may  be  able  to  give  proper  medi- 
cines, and  to  relieve  the  creature's  excruciating  pains.  He  should 
carefully  avoid  all  hot,  violent  medicines,  which  always  prove  hurtful 
in  every  species  of  this  disorder,  and  frequently  fatal.  Nor  is  it  any 
wonder  that  horses  treated  in  that  manner  should  die,  for  such  medi- 
cines stimulate  the  neck  of  the  bladder,  augment  the  heat  of  the 
blood,  (before  much  too  great,)  and  inflame  the  bowels,  by  which  a 
mortification  is  brought  on,  and  the  horse  is  lost  by  the  very  means 
used  for  his  recovery. 

Sharp  fits  of  the  Gravel  are  sometimes  taken  for  the  Cholic ;  but 
should  this  happen,  the  drink  recommended  for  the  Cholic  will  also 
be  proper  for  the  Gravel. 

WORMS   AND   BOTS. 

Much  has  been  said  concerning  Worms  in  horses,  and  but  little 
understood.  I  have  often  been  astonished  at  grooms,  farmers,  and 
farriers,  not  having  a  better  knowledge  of  them,  for  there  are  more 
horses  killed  by  these  nauseous  vermin  than  by  any  thing  else ;  and 
many  are  kept  weakly  and  low  in  flesh  by  them. 

I  have  opened  horses  that  have  been  destroyed  by  them:  some 
have  had  their  stomachs  eaten  through,  and  others  have  had  their 
b-:)wels  so  full  of  them,  as  to  have  the  inner  coat  eaten  entirely  off. 

A  horse  in  high  keep  is  not  so  subject  to  these  vermin  as  a  pfv>r 
one  that  is  worked  hard  and  badly  fed. 

Horses  are  subject  to  five  sorts  of  worms,  and  perhaps  to  many 
more,  but  I  shall  only  describe  to  you  three,  which  are  the  most 
common.  The  worst  sort  to  destroy  are  long,  round  worms,  re- 
sembling  earthworms,  but  smaller  at  the  tail ;  they  have  a  seam  all 


18  THE    COMPLKTE    FARRIER. 

t.he  length  of  their  bodies,  and  are  very  hard:  these  are  called  Round 
Worms.  The  next  are  small  worms,  about  the  size  of  a  sewing 
needle ;  they  have  reddish,  flat  heads,  having  nine  feet  on  each  side, 
and  are  called  Ascarides : — these  are  also  very  troublesome  to  horses. 
The  third  sort  are  short,  thick  worms,  called  Bots :  their  seat  is 
mostly  at  the  stomach ;  but  when  horses  get  any  food  that  they  are 
fond  of,  they  fill  themselves  so  full,  that  they  lose  their  hold,  and 
come  along  with  the  dung  to  ihe  fundament,  and  there  catch  hold 
and  stick  to  the  end  gut,  partly  out  of  the  horse ; — this  happens 
mostly  in  spring,  when  they  get  the  juice  of  fresh  grass. 

It  is  well  known  that  horses  which  have  many  worms  can  never 
thrive,  or  carry  much  flesh.  If  the  breeding  of  these  vermin  were 
prevented,  it  would  add  much  to  the  strength  of  the  horse ;  and  it 
might  be  done  by  giving  him  a  decoction  of  bitter  herbs,  such  as 
wormwood,  in  spring.  It  may  be  boiled,  or  steeped  in  hot  water,  and 
given  two  or  three  times  a  week.  Or  a  decoction  of  wormwood, 
buckbean,  gentian  root,  and  camomile  flowers,  (of  each  a  large 
handful,  boiled  in  a  sufficient  quantity  of  water,  and  given  as  above,) 
will  answer  the  end. 

Symptoms.  The  symptoms  which  indicate  worms  are  various,  as 
the  animals  are  different,  and  seated  in  different  parts  of  the  body. 
When  the  Bots  are  seated  in  the  strait  gut,  they  are  never  dangerous 
but  are  often  thrust  out  with  the  dung.  They  generally  come  in  the 
months  of  May  and  June,  and  scarcely  ever  continue  in  a  horse  above 
a  fortnight.  But  when  they  breed  in  the  stomach,  they  often  cause 
convulsions,  and  even  death.  The  Bots  that  breed  in  the  stomach 
are  about  tlie  size  of  a  large  maggot,  composed  of  circular  rings,  and 
have  little,  sharp,  prickly  feet  along  the  sides  of  their  bellies,  by  means 
of  which  they  fasten  themselves  to  the  part  from  whence  they  derive 
their  nourishment,  to  prevent  their  being  loosed  from  such  adhesion 
before  they  con'te  to  maturity ;  and  as  they  drain  the  coats  of  the 
stomach  like  leeches,  it  is  no  wonder  that  they  often  throw  the  horse 
into  convulsions,  which  terminate  in  death,  unless  the  cause  be  re- 
moved. The  violent  agonies  of  the  creature  are  the  only  indications 
of  their  existence.  The  other  kinds  of  worms  are  more  troublesome 
than  dangerous,  and  are  discovered  by  the  following  signs :  there  is  a 
white  fur  on  the  end  of  the  strait  gut ;  the  horse  is  lean  and  jaded ; 
his  coat  is  rough  and  staring:  and  if  you  rub  your  hand  backward  on 
the  hair,  a  white  scurf  will  rise,  as  if  he  had  been  surfeited;  and 
though  he  eats  with  a  remarkable  appetite,  he  docs  not  thrive,  He 
often  strikes  his  hind- feet  against  his  belly,  and  is  sometimes  griped, 
but  without  the  violent  pains  that  attend  the  cholic,  or  stranguary  ; 
for  he  never  rolls  or  tumbles,  but  is  uneasy,  often  laying  himself 
down  quietly  on  his  belly  for  a  little  while,  and  then  rising  and  be- 
ginning to  feed.  But  the  su?est  symptom  is  when  the  horse  voids  the 
worms  with  his  dung. 

Cure.  Many  medicines  have  been  given  t!0  destroy  these  vermin, 
without  knowledge  or  judgment,  and  even  contrary  to  common  reason, 
^ome  give  coarse  sugar  for  that  purpose,  but,  in  my  opinion  it  will 
ratlie"  increi'se  than  destroy  them;    although  a  i!ew  will  fill  thern 


THE    COMPLETE    FARRIER.  19 

selves  so  full  as  to  loose  their  hold,  and  to  come  away  with  the  dung. 

1  advise  all  who  have  horses  nearly  eaten  up  witli  worms,  not  to  give 

every  foolish  nostrum  that   people  prescribe,  bu',  something  that  is 

likely  to  destroy  them.     Take — 

1  oz.  of  Socotrine  Aloes. 

1  dram  of  Calomel,  8  drams  to  an  oz. 

1  dram  of  Oil  of  Aniseed. 

2  drams  of  Powdered  Ginger 
J  oz.  of  Syrup  of  Buckthorn. 

Beat  all  up  together  in  a  mortar  till  the  aloes  are  well  broken,  and 
the  whole  is  brought  into  a  paste  ;  which  give  in  the  morning,  fasting, 
and  to  fast  one  hour  after ;  also  give  warm  water,  and  walking  exer- 
cise till  wrought  off.  (It  will  not  work  the  first  day.)  Be  careful  that 
the  horse  be  open  in  his  body  before  you  give  the  ball.  In  grass  time 
you  will  have  nothing  more  to  do  than  to  give  it,  and  to  put  the  horse 
where  he  can  get  water.  This  dose  is  for  a  pretty  strong  horse,  so 
you  must  add  or  diminish  according  to  size.  This  dose  must  be  re- 
peated as  need  requires,  but  not  within  seven  days.  It  will  destroy 
most  kinds  of  worms;  but  the  hard,  round  worms  require  difTereht 
treatment,  as  they  are  the  worst  of  any  to  get  rid  of.  To  destroy 
them,  give  the  following. 

1  dram  of  Calomel,  8  drams  to  an  oz. 

6  drams  of  Jalap. 

6  drams  of  Rhubarb,  in  powder. 

Wrought  up  into  a  paste  with  conserve  of  hips,  and  two  days  after 
give  the  above  ball.     Or  the  following: 

1  dram  of  Calomel,  8  drams  to  an  oz. 
1  oz.  of  dried  Foxglove  Leaves,  powdered. 
i  oz.  of  Worm  Seed,  powdered. 
1  oz.  of  Jalap,  in  powder. 

To  be  given  in  three  gills  of  malt  liquor  from  the  mash-tub.  If 
the  above  be  given  every  week  for  three 'weeks  together,  you  may  be 
sure  that  most  of  the  vermin  will  be  expelled.  If  the  medicines  be 
given  in  the  house,  let  the  food  be  light  and  opening,  and  warm  water 
for  two  days,  with  walking  exercise. 

I  advise  all  who  have  horses  troubled  with  worms,  to  give  savin, 
dried  and  powdered,  before  they  give  the  worm  physic.  If  one  ounce 
a  day  be  given  for  a  week  before,  in  a  mash  of  bran,  it  will  be  much 
better.     The  above  ball  is  good  for  many  disorders  besides  worms. 

THE  YELLOV/S,  OR  JAUNDICE. 

This  disorder  is  very  common  in  horses,  and  sometimes  it  is  either 
unknown,  or  overlooked,  till  it  gets  much  worse  to  cure.  A  young 
horse  is  easily  cured,  but  an  old  one  is  bad  to  cure.  Some  people 
may  say.  How  can  a  horse  have  the  Jaundice,  lohen  he  has  no  gall-hlad. 
der  ?  I  answer.  Though  he  has  no  gall-hladder  in  sight,  he  has  a  large 
vesselin  the  liver  which  ,'iswers  the  same  end.  We  may  here  observe 
the  handiwork  of  GcJ  m  placing  a  horse's  gall-bladder  differently 
from  those  of  other  animals,  when  we  consider  that  the  horse  is  tlie 
swiftest  and  most  laborious  creature  in  the  world  j  so  that  if  the  gall- 


20  THE    COMPLETE    FARHIER. 

bladder  had  been  placed  on  the  liver  it  would  always  have  been 
exposed  to  injuries. 

Symptoms.  The  white  of  the  eyes  is  yellow,  also  the  inside  of 
the  mouth,  the  tongue,  and  the  bars  in  the  moutli,  are  of  a  dusky 
yellow  ;  the  horse  is  dull,  and  refuses  all  kinds  of  food ;  a  slow  fever 
is  perceived,  which  increases  with  the  yellowness;  the  dung  is  often 
hard  and  dry,  and  of  a  pale  yellow  color ;  the  urine  is  commonly  of 
a  dark,  dirty  brown,  and  when  it  has  settled,  sometimes  looks  like 
b'ood:  the  horse  stales  with  pain  and  difficulty;  and,  if  the  disorder 
is  not  checked,  becomes  in  a  short  time  unable  to  stir  about.  When 
this  disease  gets  strong  hold  of  a  horse  before  proper  medicines  are 
applied,  it  is  often  fatal,  or  it  brings  on  some  other  disorder  as  bad,  or 
worse  than  itself. 

Cure.  Bleed  plentifully,  and  as  this  disease  is  always  attended  by 
a  costive  habit  of  body,  it  will  be  proper  to  give  a  clyster  or  two  be- 
fore you  give  the  physic.  A  clyster  may  be  made  of  one  ounce  of 
camomile  flowers,  boiled  in  a  quart  of  water  with  two  ounces  of 
Castile  soap.     Then  give  the  following  ball. 

4  drams  of  Indian  Rhubarb. 

2  do.  of  Saffron. 

6  do.  of  Socotrine  Aloes. 

1  oz.  of  Castile  Soap. 

To  be  brayed  in  a  mortar  with  a  little  syrup  of  buckthorn,  and 
made  into  two  balls ;  one  to  be  given  the  last  thing  at  night,  and  the 
other  the  first  thing  in  the  morning ;  and  give  plenty  of  warm  water 
to  work  them  off.  If  the  disease  is  obstinate  and  will  not  yield  to  the 
above,  give  the  following  ball. 

1  dram  of  Calomel,  8  drams  to  an  oz. 

1  oz.  of  Barbadoes  Aloes. 

1  do.  of  Venice  Soap. 

1  do.  of  Turmeric. 

1  dram  of  Oil  of  Juniper. 

AH  to  be  brayed  in  a  mortar  with  a  little  syrup  of  buckthorn,  and 
made  into  two  balls ;  one  to  be  given  at  night,  and  the  other  in  the 
morning,  with  plenty  of  warm  water,  and  walking  exercise  till 
wrought  off. 

If  the  horse  is  better  after  the  first  medicine,  repeat  it,  for  it  is  much 
safer  than  the  last;  but  if  not,  the  last  may  be  given,  and  repeated  as 
need  requires ;  but  be  careful  not  to  give  it  in  less  than  six  days 
distance. 

If,  after  giving  one  dose  of  the  last  ball,  you  give  the  following 
powders  every  other  day  in  celandine  tea,  if  it  can  be  got,  or  in  warm 
ale,  you  will  find  them  very  useful  in  removing  the  complaint. 

2  oz.  of  Salts  of  Tartar. 

1  oz.  of  ^thiojj's  Mineral. 

3  oz.  of  Turmeric. 

These  powders  are  proper  to  be  given  after  either  of  the  former 
doses. 

There  are  so  many  prescriptions  given  for  this  disorder,  that  a 
horse's  life  is  endangered  by  them,  for  although  the  things  given  by 
many  people  may  do  the  horse  no  hurt,  yet  the  disorder  is  getting 


THE    COMPLETE    FARRIER.  21 

Stronger  hold,  and  opening  the  way  for  others  to  follow  ;  so  that  I  ad- 
vise  all  into  whose  hands  this  little  treatise  may  fall,  to  give  the  medi- 
cines  herein  recommended  a  fair  trial ;  and  1  hope  they  will  seldom 
be  disappointed  of  a  cure. 

THE  STAGGERS 

This  disease  is  a  grievous  one  indeed.  Farriers  generally  divide 
it  into  two  heads,— The  Heart  Staggers  and  the  Head  Staggers ;  but 
they  are  both  one.  It  is  caused  by  the  liver  making  blood  so  fast  that 
the  cavity  of  the  heart  is  overloaded  and  the  blood  flies  up  the  neck 
vein  till  the  head  is  overloaded  too:  and  if  relief  cannot  be  obtained, 
the  horse  soon  dies. 

Symptoms.  The  most  common  are,  drowsiness,  watery  and  some- 
what full  and  inflamed  eyes,  a  disposition  to  reel,  feebleness,  a  bad 
appetite,  the  head  generally  hanging  down,  or  resting  on  the  manger. 
There  is  little  or  no  fever,  and  the  dung  and  urine  are  very  little 
altered.  The  horse  soon  begins  to  reel,  and  falls  down,  and  sometimes 
is  so  outrageous  as  to  bite  every  thing  in  his  way. 

Cure.  In  the  first  place,  bleed  him  well  as  soon  as  you  possibly 
can,  by  striking  the  veins  in  several  places  at  once,  and  taking  away 
four  or  five  quarts  at  one  time  ;  and,  in  order  to  raise  up  his  head  and 
shoulders,  support  them  with  plenty  of  straw.  If  he  survive  the  first 
fit  cut  several  rowels,  give  him  clysters  at  night  and  morning,  made  of 
barley-water  and  a  little  sweet  oil  and  salt ;  and  blow  up  his  nostrils 
u  little  Cayenne  pepper,  or  white  hellebore.     Also  give  him — 

4  drams  of  Bark. 
16  grains  of  Tuibeth  Mineral. 
^  oz.  of  Camphor. 

Give  it  in  a  little  warm  ale.     If  the  horse  be  outrageous,  give  him— 

1  oz.  of  Tincture  of  Opium. 
1  gill  of  Syrup  of  Poppies. 
1  oz.  of  Tincture  Guaiacum. 

Be  careful  not  to  let  him  knock  his  head,  for  it  will  increase  the 
disorder.  If  he  get  through  the  first  fit,  give  him  two  ounces  of  crocus 
metallorum  every  day,  to  thin  his  blood,  for  fear  of  a  relapse.  It  will 
be  proper  to  give  him  the  following  ball  once  a  month  for  some  time 
after. 

i  oz.of  Rhubarb,  iu  powder. 

I  do.  of  Jalap. 

I  drara  of  Calomel,  8  drams  to  the  oz. 

To  be  made  into  a  ball  with  syrup  of  buckthorn.  This  ball  will 
be  of  great  use  in  thinning  the  blood,  and  preventing  a  return  of  the 
disorder ;  for  when  a  horse  has  had  one  fit  of  it,  he  is  very  likely  to 
liave  another,  if  care  be  not  taken  to  prevent  it. 

CONVULSIONS,  OR   THE   STAG    EVIL. 

Of  all  disorders  to  which  horses  are  subject,  this  is  the  worst,  and  is 
scarcely  discoverable  till  the  horse  falls  down  raging  mad.  It  seizes 
him  all  at  once,  without  any  previous  warning.     He  raises  his  head. 


22  THE    COMPLETE    FARRIER. 

with  liis  nose  toward  the  rack,  pricks  up  his  ears,  and  cocks  his  tail. 
In  this  posture  he  continues,  and  those  who  do  not  understand  the 
disorder  never  suppose  that  he  ails  anything  of  consequence.  But 
other  symptoms  soon  convince  them  of  their  mistake  ;  for  his  neck 
grows  stitf,  cramped,  and  ahnost  immovable  ;  his  jaws  are  locked  and 
every  tendon  in  his  body  becomes  stitf.  If  he  can  get  his  mouth  open, 
he  will  bite  any  thing  that  comes  in  his  way  ;  and  if  he  live  a  few  days 
in  this  condition,  several  knots  will  arise  on  the  tendinous  parts  of  it. 
Every  muscle  is  so  much  cramped  and  extended,  that  the  horse  looks 
as  if  he  were  fastened  to  the  place,  witli  his  legs  stilF,  wide,  and  stag- 
gering, and  the  skin  drawn  so  tight  over  every  part  of  his  body,  that 
it  is  almost  impossible  for  him  to  move  ;  and  if  you  attempt  to  make 
him  walk,  he  will  be  ready  to  fall  at  every  step,  unless  he  be  well 
supported.  At  the  same  time  his  eyes  are  so  fixed  by  the  contraction 
of  the  muscles  as  to  give  him  a  dead  look.  He  snorts  and  sneezes 
often,  pants  continually,  and  his  shortness  of  breath  increases  till  the 
distemper  takes  a  favorable  turn,  or  the  horse  falls  down  and  dies. 

Cure.  In  the  first  place,  bleed  plentifully,  unless  the  horse  be  old 
and  low  in  flesh,  or  taken  from  some  hard  duty,  and  then  you  must 
not  take  so  much  blood.  After  bleeding,  give  the  following  ball,  if 
you  can  get  it  in,  but  the  horse  is  very  often  jaw-locked  till  nothing 
can  be  got  in  but  by  a  clyster-pipe  put  between  his  fore  and  axle 
eeth. 

J  oz.  of  Assafa3tida. 

^  oz.  of  Guin  Gu;iiacuiii. 

^  oz.  of  G  uin  Camphor. 

Make  them  up  into  a  ball  with  honey,  and  give  one  of  these  balls 
every  twelve  hours,  for  two  days,  if  you  can  get  them  in  ;  and  if  not, 
dissolve  them  in  a  little  hot  beer,  and  give  them  with  the  clyster-pipe. 
(Be  careful  to  powder  the  Gums.)  Then  make  an  ointment  or  lotion 
of  the  following. 

1  oz.  of  Oil  of  Spike. 
1  oz.  of  Oil  of  Amber. 
1  oz.  of  Oil  of  Bricks, 
oz.  of  Spirits  of  Sal  Ammoniac. 

Shake  them  well  together,  and  rub  the  jaws  just  below  the  ears, 
where  they  lock  into  the  upper  chap ;  also  rub  the  small  of  the  back 
well,  where  the  cross  bones  are  fixed  to  the  back  bone. 

In  this,  as  in  most  other  disorders,  the  body  should  be  kept  gently 
open  with  laxative  purges  and  emollient  clysters.  When  the  jaws 
are  so  locked  that  you  cannot  get  any  thing  in,  do  not  open  them  by 
force,  for  that  would  increase  the  disorder  instead  of  relieving  it. 

Sheep  skins,  newly  taken  otf,  and  laid  with  the  flesh  side  to  the 
horse,  will  sweat  him  greatly,  and  by  that  means  draw  a  quantity  of 
water  from  the  blood  :  indeed,  there  are  few  things  that  will  relieve  a 
locked  jaw  more :  but  if  they  be  laid  on  the  loins,  tiiey  must  not  lie 
above  three  hours  at  a  time  before  they  are  turned  with  the  wool  side 
to  the  horse.  You  may  keep  the  skins  on  twenty-four  hours  if  you 
change  sides  every  two  or  three  hours. 

If  the  horse  cannot  take  either  food  or  water  in  at  his  mouth,  he 
must  be  supported  by  clysters,  made  of  barley-water  and  milk,  and 


THE    COMPLETE    FARRIER.  23 

given  both  at  the  mouth  and  the  fundament.     I  once  supported  a  large 
waggon-horse  in  this  manner  for  twelve  days,  and  he  recovered. 

Convulsions  are  caused  by  different  things,  but  often  by  hots  in  the 
stomach;  for  these  destructive  vermin  suclv  up  the  juices  that  should 
feed  the  blood,  and  bring  it  into  a  thin,  bad  state ;  indeed  they  are 
sure  to  destroy  the  horse  by  one  means  or  other  when  there  are  a 
great  number  of  them  in  the  stomach.  I  therefore  wish  all  who  have 
a  horse  troubled  with  them,  to  desti'oy  them  before  they  destroy  the 
horse. 

When  you  suspect  that  these  vermin  are  the  cause  of  the  disorder 
and  they  generally  are,  give  the  ball  recommended  to  destroy  bots. 
If  the  horse  get  better  the  first  time,  be  sure  to  guard  against  a  relapse, 
for  you  may  depend  upon  it  he  will  not  get  better  a  second  time. 

Tapping  under  the  jaws,  and  at  the  breast,  is  sometimes  of  great 
service  in  this  disorder,  but  I  am  of  opinion  that  sweating  with  sheep 
skins  will  give  relief  much  sooner.  I  wish  to  observe,  before  I  con- 
clude this  chapter,  that  the  stiffness  of  the  jaws  continues  sometimes 
after  the  convulsions  have  ceased;  in  which  case  the  following  medi- 
cine should  be  given. 

Half  an  oz.  of  Matthews'  Pill. 
Half  an  oz.  of  Assafcetida. 

Make  them  into  a  ball,  and  give  it  twice,  (one  day  between  the 
dogfes,)  and  it  will  give  relief. 

FEVERS. 

Horses  are  subject  to  few  disorders  which  are  not  attended  with 
more  or  less  fever. 

Causes.  Fevers  are  often  brought  on  by  sudden  heats  and  colds  ; 
by  going  out  of  warm  stables  into  cold  ones  ;  by  being  clothed,  and 
then  having  the  clothes  stripped  off;  and  by  being  turned  out  to 
grass;  for  many  people  turn  their  horses  out  to  grass  in  the  morning, 
and  let  them  layout,  which  is  quite  wrong:  for  when  tiiey  are  turned 
out  to  grass,  to  be  there  night  and  day,  it  is  best  to  tu»rn  them  out  at 
night,  for  then  they  will  graze  all  night;  but  if  you  turn  them  out  in 
the  morning,  they  will  fill  themselves  in  the  day-time,  and  lie  still  all 
night,  which  is  the  way  to  catch  cold.  ]\Iost  fevers  are  brought  on  by 
colds,  therefore  be  careful  to  keep  your  horses  as  much  as  possible 
from  catching  cold. 

Symptoms.  The  horse  is  remarkably  restless,  ranging  from  one 
end  of  his  rack  to  the  other  ;  his  flanks  woik,  his  eyes  appear  red  and 
inflamed,  his  tongue  is  parched,  and  his  breath  hot  and  of  a  strong 
smell.  He  often  smells  at  the  ground,  he  loses  his  appetite,  and 
though  he  will  take  hay  into  his  mouth,  he  does  not  chew  it;  his 
whole  body  is  hotter  than  usual,  but  not  parched  :  he  dungs  often,  but 
little  at  a  time,  and  it  is  generally  hard,  and  in  small  pieces;  his  urine 
is  high-colored,  and  he  generally  stales  with  pain  and  difficulty ;  he 
is  always  craving  for  water,  but  drinks  very  little  at  a  time  ;  and  his 
pulse  is  much  quicker  than  usual. 

Cure.     Whenever  a  fever  takes  place,  tl  e  first  part  of  a  cure  is 


24  THE    COMPLETE    FARRIER. 

bleeding,  and  if  the  horse  be  strong  and  in  good  condition,  the  quan- 
tity  should  be  two  or  three  quarts.  When  this  has  been  done,  give 
hiin  a  pint  at  a  time  of  the  following  infusion,  three  or  four  times  a 
day, 

4  oz.  of  Juice  of  Liquorice. 

4  do.  of  Liquorice  Hoot. 

2  do.  of  Salt  Petre. 

4  do.  of  Salt  of  Tartar 

8  do.  of  Good  Raisins. 

2  do.  of  Aniseeds, 

2  drams  of  SalVron. 

Boil  all  these  together  in  six  quarts  of  water,  for  ten  minutes,  let  it 
stand  till  cold,  and  then  strain  it  olF.  It  is  one  of  the  best  medicines 
for  colds,  coughs,  hoarseness,  or  fevers,  in  either  horse  or  man  ;  and 
if  it  were  more  known,  and  more  used,  it  would  give  greater  relief  in 
violent  colds  than  any  thing  yet  found  out.  It  is  kind  in  its  operations, 
opening  to  the  lungs,  works  gently  by  stool  and  urine,  is  free  in  ita 
passage,  and  opening  in  its  nature. 

The  horse  should  scarcely  eat  anything  but  mashes  made  of  linseed 
and  bran,  and  given  in  small  quantities.  If  he  refuse  them,  let  him 
hare  dry  bran  sprinkled  with  water,  and  put  a  little  hay  into  his  rack, 
as  a  small  quantity  of  it  will  not  hurt  him,  and  a  horse  will  often  eat 
hay  when  he  will  not  eat  any  thing  else.  His  water  should  be  rather 
warm,  and  given  often,  but  in  small  quantities  ;  and  his  clothing 
moderate,  too  much  heat  being  pernicious  in  a  fever.  If  he  refuse  his 
meat,  do  not  let  it  lie  before  him,  but  take  it  away,  and  clean  his 
rack  and  manger.  If  he  be  able  to  go  about,  a  little  walking  exercise 
in  the  open  air  will  be  very  proper,  but  you  must  be  careful  not  to  get 
him  wet. 

This  method,  with  good  nursing,  will  often  be  sufncient  to  restore 
the  horse  to  health ;  but  if  he  refuse  his  meat,  more  blood  should  oe 
taken  from  him,  and  the  drink  continued ;  and  if  his  dung  be  hard 
and  knotty,  a  clyster  should  be  given. 

Tane  Marshmallows  and  Camomile  flowers,  a  handful  of  each,  boil  them  in  tiiree  quarts 
of  water  till  one  quart  is  wasted  ;  then  strain  it  off,  and  add  four  ounces  of  Venice 
Treacle,  and  one  pmt  of  Pale  Rape  Oil. 

The  above  will  make  three  clysters,  to  be  given  at  four  hour's  dis- 
tance.    If  his  pulse  continue  high  and  quick,  give  the  following. 

2  07, .  of  Nitre 

2  do.  of  Cream  of  Tartar. 

4  do.  of  Glaubers  Salt. 

2  do.  of  Lenitive  Electuar}'. 

Dissolve  them  in  hot  water,  give  one  half,  and  the  other  half  the 
day  following.  If  the  horse  be  very  open  in  his  body,  you  need  noi 
give  the  above :  but  if  dry,  be  sure  to  give  him  it.  If  he  be  very 
open,  give  him  four  drams  of  bark  in  a  gill  of  red  port.  By  pursuing 
this  method,  the  horse  will  begin  to  recover,  and  will  relish  his  hay, 
though  his  Hanks  will  continue  to  heave  for  a  fortnight.  Nothing 
more  will  be  requisite  to  complete  the  cure  than  walking  him  abroad  iu 
the  air,  and  giving  him  plenty  of  clean  litter  to  rest  on  in  the  stable. 

T  lere  is  another  and  much  worse  kind  of  foverto  which  horses  are 
Ytjry  subject,  and  which  often  proves  fxtal  if  not  properly  treated,  vix. 


THE    COMPLETE    FARRIER.  25 

A  COMPOUND  FEVER. 

Symptoms.  The  symptoms  of  tliis  disease  are — a  slow  fever,  with 
great  depression  ;  and  sometimes  inward  heat  and  outward  cold,  and 
at  other  times  heat  all  over,  but  not  excessive.  The  horse's  eyes  are 
moist  and  languid  ;  his  mouth  is  continually  moist,  so  that  he  is  not 
desirous  of  drinking,  and  when  he  does  drink,  a  very  little  satisfies  him  ; 
he  eats  very  little,  and  moves  his  joints  in  a  loose,  feeble  mannner, 
grating  his  teeth  very  disagreeably ;  his  body  is  generally  open,  his 
dung  soft  and  moist,  and  he  stales  irregularly,  sometimes  making  little 
water,  and  at  others  a  large  quantity,  which  is  of  a  pale  color,  and  has 
very  little  sediment. 

Cure.  In  the  first  place,  take  from  the  horse  a  moderate  quantity  of 
blood.  Let  it  not  exceed  three  pints,  but  repeat  the  operation  according 
to  its  strength,  if  there  be  any  tendency  to  inflammation  ;  after  this  the 
nitre  drink  already  described  maybe  given,  with  the  following  addition. 

1  oz.  of  Snake  Root. 

3  tli-auis  of  SulVron. 

3  drams  of  Camphor,  dissolved  in  Spirits  of  Wine. 

The  horse's  diet  should  be  scalded  bran  ;  and  linseed,  boiled,  and 
wrought  up  with  bran.  Also  give  him  the  best  hay  by  a  handful  at  a 
time.  It  is  often  necessary  to  feed  him  by  the  hand,  for  sometimes  he 
is  not  able  to  lift  his  head  to  the  rack. 

In  this  disease,  drinking  is  absolutely  necessary  to  thin  the  blood  ; 
and  therefore  if  the  horse  refuse  warm  water,  he  should  be  indulged 
with  such  only  as  has  had  the  cold  taken  ofi".  This  may  be  done  with 
a  hot  iron,  or  by  letting  it  stand  in  the  pail  in  a  warm  stable  ;  and  this 
will  be  better  than  forcing  warm  water  on  the  horse's  stomach.  If 
this  method  do  not  prove  sufficient,  but  the  fever  shall  continue  to 
increase,  the  following  balls  should  be  given  immediately,  as  the 
danger  augments  every  hour. 

I  oz.  of  Camphor. 
^  do.  G  um  iMyrrh. 

1  do.  Squills. 

2  drams  of  Castor. 

Make  them  up  into  two  balls,  and  give  one  at  night,  and  the  other 
in  the  morning.  If  no  better  in  a  short  time,  give  the  following 
infusion. 

1  oz.  of  Snake  Root. 
'2  do.  Genti-m  Hooi. 

2  do.  Lemon  Peel. 
2  drams  of  Saffron. 

Boil  these  well  together  in  three  quarts  of  water,  and  give  a  pint 
once  a  day.     If  the  above  ball  fail  of  success,  give  the  following. 

1  oz.  of  Cnmplior,  dissolved  in  Spirits  of  Vv'ine. 
1  do.  Sal  A:iiin(miac. 
I  pint  of  good  Vinegar. 

Put  them  all  together,  and  stir  them  about  till  the  fume  subside. 
This  is  for  two  doses  to  be  taken  at  twelve  hours'  distance,  diluted  with 
water.  There  is  not  perhaps  a  more  powerful  and  elTectual  medicine 
known  than  camphor  in  all  kinds  of  putrid  fevers,  it  being  active, 
attenuating,  and  particularly  calculated  to  promote  urine  and  perspi- 


2G  THB    COMPLETE    FARRIER. 

ration,  the  tv\o  principal  outlets  by  which  relief  is  to  be  obtained  ;  and 
if  this  medicine  were  more  often  given  than  it  is,  it  would  be  a  greater 
credit  to  the  farrier,  and  give  greater  relief  to  the  horse. 

If  the  horse  be  costive,  clysters,  or  an  opening  drink,  should  be 
given;  and  should  he  purge  moderately,  be  careful  not  to  suppress  it; 
but  if  it  continue  so  long  as  to  enfeeble  the  horse,  give  him  a  little 
red  port  wine  and  bark. 

Also  observe  to  let  the  animal  drink  plentifully,  for  that  will  greatly 
promote  the  operation  of  the  above  named  medicnies,  as  both  the  dis- 
order and  the  medicines  will  cause  a  thirst.  If  the  horse  can  bear 
walking  about,  a  little  open  air  will  be  very  proper,  but  be  careful  to 
keep  him  well  covered. 

Particular  regard  should  also  be  paid  to  his  staling,  which,  if  it 
flow  in  too  great  quantities,  must  be  repressed  by  proper  astringents, 
and  by  giving  him  lime-water ;  and,  on  the  other  hand,  if  he  stale  so 
little  as  to  occasion  a  fulness  or  swelling  in  his  body  and  legs,  give 
him  the  following  drink. 

1  oz.  of  Nitre. 

2  do.  Castile  Soap. 

1  do.  Venice  Turpentine. 

2  drams  of  Oil  of  Juniper. 

Make  them  into  a  ball  with  liquorice  powder,  and  give  them  at 
twice  twenty-four  hours'  distance.  These  balls  may  be  given  as 
occasions  may  require,  and  are  very  proper  to  convey  oft'  the  greasy, 
slimy  matter  from  the  passage  of  the  urine,  and  to  settle  swelled  legs. 

These  are  the  best  methods  of  management,  and  will  generally 
prove  successful ;  but  sometimes  art  will  fail,  and  the  horse  will  dis- 
charge a  greenish  or  a  reddish  gleet  from  his  nostrils,  and  sneeze 
very  frequently  ;  he  will  continue  to  lose  his  flesh,  become  hide- 
bound, refuse  his  meat,  swell  about  his  joints,  and  his  eyes  will 
apoear  fixed  and  dead ;  a  purging  also  ensues,  ana  a  dark-colored 
foetid  matter  is  discharged.  When  these  symptoms  appear,  the  case 
may  be  considered  desperate,  and  all  attempts  to  save  the  horse  will 
be  fruitless. 

In  this  disorder  you  must  take  care  not  to  let  the  horse  eat  too 
much,  for  his  diet  should  be  light,  and  in  small  quantities  at  once, 
and  increased  gradually  as  he  may  gain  strength.  When  his  skin 
feels  kind,  his  ears  and  feet  continue  moderately  warm,  his  eyes  look 
lively,  his  nose  remains  clean  and  dry,  his  appetite  mends,  he  lies 
down  with  ease,  and  dungs  and  stales  Avell,  you  may  conclude  that 
the  danger  is  nearly  over,  and  that  nothing  more  is  needful  but  care 
to  complete  the  cure.  On  the  contrary,  by  overfeeding  you  will  run 
the  risk  of  bringing  on  a  bad  surfeit,  and  the  horse  may  be,  accord, 
ing  to  the  old  saying, — killed  with  keeping. 

Sometimes  the  fever  returns;  so  that  every  one  who  has  a  horse  in 
a  fever  should  be  careful  of  cold  for  some  time  after,  as  his  blood  is 
l«ft  in  a  thin  bad  state.  His  legs  will  probably  be  subject  to  swell; 
and  if  tiie  swelling  leave  a  dimple  when  you  press  your  finger  upon 
it,  it  is  a  jign  of  a  dropsy ;  in  which  case  it  will  be  advisable  to  put 
twj  rowels  on  each  side  of  his  belly,  and  to  give  him  half-an-ounoe 


THE    COMPLETE    FARR  >ER. 


27 


el  the  best  yellow  bark  eveiy  day  for  some  time.  At  other  times  a 
fever  leaves  a  running  at  his  nose,  of  a  thin  yellow,  glueish  matter, 
and  small  swellings  below  his  cars  and  chaps. 

When  you  find  these  symptoms,  giv^e  one  ounce  of  crocus  metaio- 
rum  every  day  in  a  mash  of  bian,  and  rub  the  swellings  with  mercu- 
rial  ointment. 

In  the  year  1796,  1797,  and  1798,  a  distemper  prevailed  among 
horses,  attended  with  a  strong  fever,  which  in  a  few  days  turned  to  a 
putrid  fever.  Some  horses  had  their  eyes  so  much  inflamed  as  to 
stand  goggling  out  of  their  sockets;  they  had  also  swellings  all  over 
their  bodies,  and  in  two  or  three  days  dropped  down  dead.  At  that 
time  I  observed  that  the  horses  which  had  camphor  given  them  got 
the  best  through.  Some  horses  which  have  had  this  distemper,  have 
a  relapse  of  it  in  the  spring  season;  and  it  is  difficult  to  eradicate. 

Care  should  be  taken  to  keep  the  head  and  throat  warmer  than 
common,  as  the  kernels  about  the  latter  are  swelled ;  and  also  to  pro- 
mote  a  free  perspiration,  and  to  increase  the  running  at  the  nose, 
which  has  the  same  effect  in  horses  as  spitting  has  in  the  human  spe- 
cies; but  never  syringe  the  nose,  as  is  often  done,  to  promote  the 
discharge,  for  it  has  an  efTect  quite  contrary,  and  lessens  the  quantity 
of  matter  instead  of  increasing  it ;  and  checking  the  discharge  of  mat- 
ter at  the  nostrils  often  causes  swellings  of  tlie  glands,  and  other  bad 
consequences.  Let  me  once  for  all  remind  you  that  all  such  dis- 
charges are  critical,  and  thrown  off  by  nature  to  free  herself  from  the 
load  °that  oppresses  her,  and  consequently  should  by  all  means  be 
promoted. 

A   BROKEN   WIND. 

This  disorder  may  sometimes  be  prevented,  but  cannot  be  cured; 
and  it  has  hitherto  been  as  little  understood  as  any  to  which  a  horse  is 
subject.  People  have  had  various  opinions  respecting  its  cause,  and 
why  some  horses  are  more  subject  to  it  than  others ;  but  of  all  the 
opinions  hitherto  delivered,  that  of  Mr.  Gibson  seems  the  best  founded. 
He  thinks  that  it  is  frequently  owing  to  the  hasty  or  injudicious  feed- 
ing of  young  horses  for  sale  ;  by  which  means  the  growth  of  the  lungs 
is  "rapidly  increased,  and  all  the  contents  of  the  chest  so  much  en- 
lu,ro-ed,  that  in  a  few  years  the  cavity  of  the  chest  is  not  sufficient  to 
con'tain  them  when  they  are  expanded  to  perform  their  proper  func- 
tions. Nor  is  tliis  opinion  founded  upon  bare  conjecture,  for  horses 
that  have  died  broken-winded  have  been  opened,  and  the  lungs  and 
other  parts  found  too  large  for  the  chest.  But  although  hasty  feeding 
is  often  the  cause  of  this  disorder,  yet  it  is  not  always,  for  a  narrow 
chest  may  cause  it.  It  has  been  observed  that  horses  rising  eight 
years  old  are  most  subject  to  it.  The  reason  of  this  is,  because  a 
iiorse  arrives  at  his  full  strength  and  maturity  at  that  age.  At  six  he 
generally  finishes  his  growth  in  height ;  then  he  lets  down  his  belly, 
and  spreads,  and  all  his  parts  gain  their  full  size  ;  so  that  the  pressure 
on  the  lungs  a.T  i  ■.i,<^  midriff  is  now  increased. 

Also,  when  the  aorse  catches  cold  and  gets  a  dry  cough,  the  lungs 


28  THE    COMPLETE  .FARRIER. 

are  much  larger  than  they  ought  to  be,  and  at  that  time  riding  sharp- 
ly  is  enough  to  force  the  lungs  so  hard  against  the  Midriff  as  to  force  a 
passage  through  it.* 

A  few  years  bacl<  some  people  pretended  to  cure  the  complaint  by 
boring;  but  none  were  ever  cured  by  it  yet,  nor  ever  will  be.  They 
made  a  nole  above  the  fundament,  to  let  out  the  wind  that  was  forced 
thorough  the  midriff  into  the  bowels;  and  this  caused  the  horse  to  be 
continually  discharging  wind  out  of  the  place  ;  so  that  the  pretended 
cure  was  worse  than  the  disease. 

Dissections  of  horses  that  have  died  broken-winded,  have  sufficiently 
proved  the  truth  of  the  above  observations;  and  that  not  only  the 
lungs,  together  with  the  heart  and  its  bag,  were  preternaturally  large, 
but  also  the  membrane  which  divides  the  chest ;  and  that  the  midriff 
was  remarkably  tliin.  In  some  horses  the  disproportion  has  been  so 
great  that  the  heart  and  lungs  have  been  almost  twice  their  natural 
size,  yet  perfectly  sound :  and  without  any  ulceration  whatever,  or 
the  least  defect  in  the  windpipe  or  in  its  glands. 

From  these  observations  it  abundantly  appears,  that  the  enormous 
size  of  the  lungs,  and  other  contents  of  the  chest,  by  hindering  the  free 
action  of  the  midriff,  is  the  principal  cause  of  this  disorder  ;  and  as  the 
lungs  are  found  much  more  fleshy  than  usual,  they  must  consequently 
have  lost  a  great  part  of  their  spring  and  tone. 

Therefore,  as  this  disorder  is  caused  by  the  largeness  of  the  lungs, 
we  may  conclude  that  it  is  one  of  those  diseases  which  cannot  be  cured 
by  art;  and  that  the  boasting  of  those  who  pretend  to  cure  it  are  built 
on  a  sandy  foundation.  They  may  indeed  relieve  the  complaint,  but 
will  never  cure  it,  for  an  absolute  cure  is  not  in  the  power  of  any  hu- 
man being.  All  that  I  can  do  is  to  lay  down  some  rules  which  have 
a  great  tendency  to  prevent  this  disorder,  if  pursued  in  time ;  and  some 
remedies  that  will  ailbrd  relief  when  it  has  taken  place,  and  render 
the  horse  capable  of  performing  good  service,  notwithstanding  his 
misfortune. 

SvMPTOMS.  The  first  symptom  of  a  Broken  Wind  is  an  obstinate 
dry  cough,  which  is  neither  attended  with  sickness  nor  loss  of  appetite; 
but,  on  the  contrary,  with  a  disposition  to  foul  feeding,  eating  the  litter, 
and  drinking  large  quantities  of  water. 

Prevention.  When  a  horse  is  troubled  with  an  obstinate  dry 
cough,  and  eats  his  litter,  it  will  be  necessary  to  bleed  hnn,  and  to 
give  him  the  mercurial  physic  already  prescribed,  repeating  it  two  or 
three  times.  Afterwards  give  the  following  balls  for  some  time,  which 
have  been  found  of  very  great  service. 

4  oz.  of  Gum  Ammoniacun  , 

4  do.  Galbanuin. 

4  do.  Assafofitida. 

4  do.  Squills. 

i  do.  SafiVon. 

6  drams  of  Cinnabar  of  Autimony. 

Make  the  whole  up  into  balls  with  hof^ey  and  a  little  liquorice 

•  The  MidrilT,  or  Diaphrnpni,  is  that  which  is  coromo  »y  called  the  Skirts,  and  separates 
the  Chest  (where  the  lungs  lie)  Irm  tha  Bow*  \a. 


THE    COMPI.ETE    FARRIER.  29 

powder,  and  give  one  about  the  size  of  a  pullet's  egg  e/ery  other 
morning.     This  is  a  very  good  ball  for  a  dry  cough. 

Some  horse-dealers  give  broken-winded  horses  a  quantity  of  shot 
when  they  carry  them  into  the  market  for  sale,  and  I  suppose  it  is  to 
drew  the  bowek  from  the  midriff,  so  that  the  disorder  may  not  be  dis- 
ooverable;  but  at  the  same  time  there  is  great  danger  of  killing  tJie 
horse.  ° 

But  it  is  no*  enough  to  give  proper  medicines;  the  horse's  diet 
should  also  be  carefully  attended  to  at  the  same  time,  if  we  would 
hope  for  success.  In  order  to  tliis,  the  horse  should  eat  very  sparin<T. 
ly  of  hay,  which,  as  well  as  his  corn,  should  be  wetted  with  chamber- 
he,  which  is  much  better  than  water  ;■  and  in  this  disease  the  horse  is 
always  craving  after  water.  Chamber-lie  is  best  for  this  purpose,  be- 
cause of  the  volatile  salts  which  it  contains,  as  they  are  a  means  of 
removing  the  thirst.  For  the  same  reason,  garlic  is  very  eflicacious 
m  this  disorder.  Two  or  three  cloves  being  given  in  each  feed ;  or 
three  ounces  bruised,  and  boiled  in  a  quart  of  milk  and  water,  and 
given  every  morning  for  a  fortnight,  has  been  found  very  serviceable. 
So  easy  a  remedy  should  never  "be  neglected;  for  by  warming  and 
stimulating  the  solids,  and  at  the  same  time  dissolving  the  tenacious 
juices  which  choke  up  the  vessels  of  the  lungs,  it  greatly  relieves  this 
complaint. 

Moderate  exercise  should  never  be  omitted  ;  and  although  broken- 
winded  horses  are  not  able  to  endure  much  labor  the  first  summer, 
yet  many  have  been  foundress  oppressed  the  second,  and  scarcely 
perceptibly  affected  the  third,  being  then  able  to  perform  a  long  jour- 
ney, and  to  endure  great  fatigue.  A  horse  kept  cwistantly  In  the 
field,  when  not  in  work,  will  be  able  to  do  good  service  for  many 
years. 

It  may  not  be  improper  to  observe  that  those  who  hope  to  cure  a 
broken-winded  horse,  or  even  one  that  is  troubled  with  an  obstinate 
cough,  by  putting  him  to  grass,  will  find  themselves  wretchedly  mis- 
taken ;  for  on  his  being  taken  into  the  stable  and  fed  with  dry  meat, 
he  will  be  much  worse  than  before ;  and  some  that  had  only  a  dry 
cough  when  they  were  put  to  grass,  have  returned  broken-winded. 
Therefore  always  remember  that  if  you  cannot  keep  a  horse  of  this 
description  constantly  abroad,  it  is  best  not  to  put  him  to  grass  at  all, 
as,  instead  of  curing,  it  will  tend  to  augment  the  disorder. 

In  short,  the  grand  secret  of  managing  horses  of  this  kind,  consists 
in  haying  particular  regard  to  their  die't  and  exercise.  A  moderate 
quantity  of  hay  or  corn,  and  water,  should  be  given  at  a  time,  and 
the  former  constantly  moistened,  to  prevent  their  wanting  too  much 
of  the  latter.  They  should  have  moderate  exercise,  but  never  any 
that  is  violent.  By  this  method,  and  giving  the  following  ball  once 
every  fortnight  or  three  weeks,  the  horse  will  be  able  to  do  gocd  ser- 
vice  for  many  years. 

6  drama  of  Socotrine  Aloes. 

2  do.  Myrrh. 

2  do.  Galbanum. 

2  do.  Ammoniacuin. 

2  oz.  of  Barberries,  in  powder 


30  THE    COMPLETE    FARRIER. 

Make  the  whole  into  a  ball  with  a  little  oil  of  amber,  and  a  suffi- 
cient quantity  of  syrup  of  buckthorn.  This  ball  operates  so  gently 
that  there  is  no  need  for  confinement,  except  a  little  the  day  following 
that  on  which  it  is  given.  The  horse  must  have  warm  mashes  and 
warm  water,  and  the  utmost  care  must  be  taken  to  prevent  his  catch- 
ing cold. 

A   CONSUMPTION. 

It  is  hard  to  lay  down  proper  rules  on  this  head,  ot  ro  give  the 
owner  or  farrier  such  an  explanation  of  the  disease  as  may  lead  him 
to  a .  proper  knowledge  of  it.  It  has  been  above  a  match  for  many  ; 
but  having  in  my  long  experience  had  many  under  my  care  in  this 
dangerous  disorder,  I  hope  to  be  able  to  explain  it  as  well  as  most 
people. 

Symptoms.  A  Consumption  is  a  want  of  nourishment,  and  a  waste 
of  flesh.  The  horse's  eyes  look  dull,  his  ears  and  feet  are  commonly 
nc'i,  he  coughs  violently  by  fits,  sneezes  often,  and  groans  at  the  same 
♦ime;  he  gleets  at  the  nose,  and  sometimes  throws  a  yellowish  matter, 
ra  iter  curdled,  from  his  nose;  his  flanks  have  a  quick  motion,  and  he 
hag  iittle  appetite  to  hay,  though  he  will  eat  corn,  but  he  grows  hot 
aj''ter  it. 

Causes.  Damp  stables  are  most  likely  to  bring  on  this  disorder, 
"..tough  it  may  be  brought  on  by  many  other  things.  In  my  time  I 
have  known  many  horses  suffer  much  by  damp  stables.  I  knew  a 
gentleman  who  had  two  valuable  horses,  and  he  built  a  new  stable  for 
them,  without  any  air-holes  above  their  heads.  He  put  the  horses  in 
as  soon  as  the  stable  appeared  dry,  and  their  heat  soon  caused  the 
walls  of  the  place  to  sweat,  and  to  run  down  with  water,  by  which 
means  both  the  horses  were  thrown  into  a  Consumption,  and  died.  I 
mention  this  to  caution  others. 

Cure.  The  first,  and  indeed  one  of  the  principal  things  to  be  done, 
is  to  bleed  in  small  quantities.  A  pint,  or  at  most  a  pint  and  a  half, 
is  sufficient  at  once,  and  the  operation  is  to  be  repeated  whenever  the 
breath  is  more  than  commonly  oppressed.  We  are  assured,  by  dis- 
section, that  in  a  Consumption  both  the  glands  of  the  lungs  and  the 
mesentery  are  swelled,  and  often  indurated.  The  only  medicines 
that  can  be  depended  upon,  are  mercurial  purges  and  ponderous  al- 
teratives. I  have  already  given  you  examples  of  the  former,  and  the 
following  is  a  formula  of  the  latter.     Mix 

4  oz.  of  Crocus  INIetaloruni. 

1  do.  Calomel  pp. 

1  lb.  of  Gum  Guaiacum,  finely  powdered. 

Give  about  an  ounce  every  day  in  a  mash  of  bran  and  linseed. 
Iceland  liverwort,  a  handful  boiled  in  a  gallon  of  water,  is  much 
better  to  make  mashes  up  with  than  water ;  for  it  is  a  great  helper  of 
the  blood.  But  it  is  to  be  observed  that  notliing  will  answer  so  good 
an  end  as  spring  grass ;  so  that  if  the  horse  be  afllicted  with  this  dis- 
ease in  spring  time,  turn  him  out  to  grass  as  soon  as  you  can  ;  and  if 
the  nights  be  cold,  turn  him  out  in  the  day-time,  and  take  him  in  at 


THE    COMPLETE    FARRIEE.  31 

nights.     Salt  marshes  are  the  properest  places  when  they  can  be  me 
with. 

When  a  horse  has  had  this  disorder,  he  can  never  more  bear  cold 
and  hard  service  as  before.  If  the  horse  be  of  small  value,  the  above 
medicines  will  be  thouglit  too  expensive,  and  you  may  give  tar-balls, 
or  tar  water.  Fine  Norway  tar  is  of  very  great  use  in  diseases  of  the 
lungs,  and  is  to  be  made  into  balls  in  the  Ibllowing  manner,  which  will 
be  useful  either  in  consumption,  a  cough,  or  an  atthma,  and  help  them 
as  soon  as  most  drugs  that  are  made  use  of. 

1  lb.  of  fresh  Norway  or  Stoclcholm  Tar . 
4  oz.  of  Garlic. 

Bruise  the  garlic,  and  work  them  up  with  liquorice  powder  into  a 
paste,  and  give  two  ounces  at  a  time  every  other  day. 

A   SCOURING,   AND    OTHER    DISORDERS    OF    THE 
INTESTINES. 

You  should  consider  well  what  the  Scouring  proceeds  from,— 
whether  it  is  caused  by  foul  feeding,  bad  water,  hard  exercise,  sudden 
heat  or  cold,  an  overflowing  of  the  bile,  or  a  weakness  of  the  intestines. 

If  it  is  brought  on  by  foul  feeding,  or  bad  water,  it  should  not  be 
stopped,  but  rather  be  promoted  ;  for  it  should  be  remembered  that 
nature  by  this  means  throws  off  the  seeds  of  disease,  and  evacuates 
the  morbid  matter  which  would  otherwise  be  retained  to  the  great 
disadvantage,  and  perhaps  to  the  destruction,  of  the  animal.  ^The 
great  difficulty  therefore  consists  in  knowing  when  these  discharges 
&re  critical  and  salutary,  and  when  detrimental  and  noxious;  for  the 
former  must  not  be  checked,  but  the  aid  of  medicine  must  be  called 
in  to  put  a  stop  to  the  latter. 

For  instance, — if  a  healthy  horse,  upon  taking  cold,  or  after  hard 
ridmg,  over-feeding,  or  at  the  beginning  of  a  slight  fever,  have  a  mod- 
erate purging,  you  must  be  careful  not  to  stop  it,  but  on  the  contrary  to 
promote  it,  by  an  open  diet,  and  plenty  of  wann  gruel.  But  if  this 
purging  continue  a  long  time,  with  smart  gripings,  and  the  inner  skin 
of  tlie  bowels  come  away  with  the  dung,  and  the  horse  loose  both  his 
flesh  and  his  appetite  at  the  same  time,  recourse  must  immediately  be 
had  to  proper  medicines ;  among  which  the  following  are  very  effectual. 
I  do  not  wish  any  one  to  give  medicines  upon  merely  hearing  the  names 
of  the  drugs,  but  to  know  in  what  manner  the 'drugs  will  operate 
before  they  give  them.     Take — 

1  oz.  of  Rhubarb,  in  powder. 

2  drams  of  Myrrh,         do. 
2  do.  Saflron. 

Give  altogether  in  warm  ale,  and  warm  water  for  two  days  aftei. 
This  dose  will  only  v/ork  gently,  but  will  be  of  great  service  tp  the 
horse,  as  it  will  bring  away  the  slime  which  lodges  in  the  small  intes- 
tines, and  correct  the  bile  of  the  stomach,  which  is  the  cause  of  this 
disorder.  If  the  horse  be  a  good  one,  I  would  advise  the  owner  never 
to  refuse  giving  medicines  because  of  the  expense,  as  they  will  soon 
make  him  ample  amends  by  their  <=alutary  effects  ;  and  sometimes  the 


32  THE    COMPLETE    FARRIER. 

desire  of  saving  a  few  pence  in  a  medicine  has  been  the  destruction  of 
a  useful  horse. 

But  when  the  disorder  continues,  and  the  horse's  flesh  keeps  wasting 
away,  recourse  must  be  had  to  astringents.  Tormentil-root,  (dried, 
and  pounded  in  a  mortar,  and  put  through  a  sieve,)  is  one  of  the  best 
astringents  yet  found  out,  though  very  little  linown.  I  hvartily  wi.-^h 
my  fellow-creatures  would  make  more  use  of  this  valuable  root  thwii 
they  do.  The  dose  is  from  an  ounce  to  an  ounce  and  a  half.  I  believe 
that  this  valuable  root  has  done  more  good  in  my  time,  in  stopping 
loosenesses  and  bowel  complaints,  than  any  thing  else.  I  have  known 
many  people  who  have  spent  pounds  on  physicians,  and  got  no  relief, 
and  whose  strength  hus  been  nearly  gone,  and  their  lives  despaired  of, 
but  by  taking  the  above  in  red  wine,  they  have  been  restored.  The 
dose  is  from  half  a  dram  to  a  dram,  in  a  little  red  wine,  four  or  five 
times  a  day.  But  you  may  say,  Where  is  this  root  to  begot,  as  few  of 
the  druggists  keep  it  ?  I  believe  they  do  not ;  neither  do  I  wish  you  to 
apply  to  them  for  it,  for  they  will  give  you  something  else  that  will  notl 
answer  the  purpose.  It  may  commonly  be  found  in  dry  land,  where* 
whins  and  brackens  grow.  It  flowers  all  summer  long  ;  its  top  is  small, 
something  like  southern  wood  ;  its  flowers  are  small,  yellow,  an-I 
numerous  ;  it  is  seldom  above  half  a  foot  high  ;  and  its  root  is  strong  * 
in  loose  land  and  old  cams  as  thick  as  a  finger,  but  in  fast-bound  lanf^ 
not  so  strong. 

When  the  purging  is  attended  with  a  fever,  a  different  method  o/ 
practice  is  necessary.     Take — 

I  07, .  of  Rhubarb,  in  powder. 
1  do.  Lenitive  Electuary. 
I  do.  Camphor. 
1  do.  Powdered  Ginger. 

To  be  given  in  a  pint  of  old  ale.  This  is  a  very  proper  medicine 
when  the  horse  is  troubled  with  a  fever ;  but  if  he  have  no  fever  upon 
him,  give  the  following. 

1  oz.  of  Tormentil  Root,  in  powder. 
^  do.  Japan  Earth,  do. 

Give  these  in  red  wine,  or  if  that  be  thought  too  expensive,  in  oak 
Dark  tea.  Japan  earth  is  a  great  healer  of  the  bowels.  Repeat  thi-j 
last  medicine  three  or  four  times,  to  allow  it  a  fair  trial ;  giving  thre 
horse  at  the  same  time  but  little  exercise,  for  he  cannot  then  bear  much. 
Should  this  medicine  fail,  and  the  disorder  increase  instead  of  decreaa- 
ing,  which  may  be  known  by  his  flanks  and  belly  being  full  and 
distended,  and  his  appearing  to  suffer  strong  griping  pains,  give  the 
following  clyster. 

^  oz.  of  Isinglass,  dissolved  in  a  quart  of  warm  Milk. 
2  do.  MithiidiUo. 

Sometimes  the  flux  is  so  violent  as  not  to  be  overcome  by  the  pre- 
ceding medicine,  when  recourse  must  be  had  to  the  following.  Boil 
a  handful  of  oak  bark  in  a  quart  of  water,  strain  it  oflf,  and  add — 

2  oz.  of  Tormentil  Root,  in  powder. 
2  do.    Bole. 


THE    COMPLETE    FARRIER.  O? 

Give  them  all  together.  This  should  be  repeated  once  a  day,  for 
two  or  three  days. 

The  practitioner  should  carefully  attend  to  the  symptoms  that  ac- 
company this  disorder ;  for  if  the  discharge  be  attended  with  an  acrid 
mucus,  or  slime,  the  griping  pains  being  very  severe,  there  is  then  a 
sure  indication  that  the  common  lining  of  the  bowels  is  wasted  away; 
and  then  it  will  be  necessary  frequently  to  inject  the  following  clyster, 
warm,  in  order  to  prevent  the  fatal  consequences  which  will  otherwise 
soon  ensue. 

Four  ounces  of  Starch,  dissolved  in  a  quart  of  water;  halfapiutol  sweet  oil,  three  yolks 
of  Eggs,  well  broken;  and  a  little  loaf  Sugar. 

This  will  do  for  twice,  at  four  hours'  distance. 

It  is  also  necessary  to  observe  that  some  horses,  from  having  weak 
stomachs  and  bowels,  throw  out  their  aliment  undigested,  and  their 
dung  is  habitually  soft,  and  of  a  pale  color ;  they  also  feed  sparingly, 
and  are  always  low  in  flesh.  This  complaint,  which  often  proves 
fatal  at  last,  may  be  removed  by  the  following  medicines. 

6  drams  of  Socotrine  Aloes. 
3    do.     Rhubarb,  in  powder. 
1     do.     Myrrh. 
1    do.    Saflron. 

Make  all  up  into  a  ball  with  syrup  of  ginger.  After  the  above 
stomachic  purge  shall  have  been  given  two  or  three  times,  a  pint  of 
the  following  infusion  should  be  given  every  rriorning. 

Take  Gentian,  Winter  Bark,  Orange  Peel,  Cohimbia  Root,  Aniseeds,  Fennel  Seeds,  and 
Camomile  Flowers,  of  each  a  small  handful!  and  of  Orris  Root,  two  ounces. 

Boil  all  together  in  a  gallon  of  strong  ale;  and  when  cold,  cleai  it 
otf;  and  add  one  pin^  of  spirits  of  wine.  If  this  be  thought  too  strong, 
two  quarts -more  of  ale  may  be  added.  This  is  an  excellent  cordial 
both  for  healing  and  strengthening  the  stomach  and  bowels.  Those 
are  the  best  methods  of  treating  the  above  disorders,  to  which  horses 
are  often  subject,  and  in  which  they  are  often  lost  for  want  of  proper 
treatment. 

But  before  we  conclude  this  chapter,  it  is  necessary  to  observe  that 
the  scourings  which  succeed  long-continued  sickness,  such  as  the 
Farcy,  Putrid  Fevers,  or  an  inflamed  state  of  the  blood,  where  bleed- 
ing and  other  proper  evacuations  have  been  neglected,  too  often  ter- 
minate fatally;  especially  when  the  creature  discharges  a  faet'i  slime, 
and  when  the  same  matter  gleets  from  his  nose;  for  in  these  cases  the 
blix)d  is  dissolved,  and  the  whole  m.ass  of  the  fluids  is  become  putrid, 
and  discharges  itself  by  those  drains. 

DISORDERS   OF  THE    KIDNEYS   AND   BLADDER. 

Inflammation  of  tlie  kidneys  and  bladder  are  sometimes  brouf^ht  oa 
by  other  disorders,  and  often  by  sprains,  hard  exercise,  catclunn-  cold 
when  liot,  or  from  the  want  of  proper  care. 

Symptoms  of  a  Hurt  in  the  Kidxeys.  The  horse  is  very  weak 
in  the  back  and  loins ;  he  stales  with  difficulty,  is  faint,  eats  very  little  ; 
his  eyes  appear  languid,   and  of  a    dead   color ;    his   urine  is   fo^, 

.1 


34  THE    COMPLETE    FARRIER. 

thick,  and  often  bloody,  especially  after  a  violent  strain;  he  cannot 
move  backwards  without  great  pain,  which  may  be  seen  at  every 
attempt.  It  is  sometimes  hard  to  distinguish  an  inflammation  from  a 
sprain,  or  what  is  called,  "tilled  in  the  back."  There  is  no  method 
but  observing  the  gait  of  the  horse.  If  he  have  got  tilled  in  the  back, 
he  will  be  hard  put  to  it  to  keep  from  coming  down  behind,  and  indeed 
will  oft  come  down  ;  his  eyes  will  look  rather  red,  but  iiis  urine  the 
same  as  before.     A  tifle  lies  in  the  marrow,  or  pith,  of  the  back. 

CtJRE.  The  principal  remedy  for  a  hurt  in  the  kidneys  is  bleeding, 
which  should  be  done  pretty  plentifully,  as  by  this  means  an  inflam- 
mation will  be  prevented ;  and  if  you  have  reason  to  think  that  the 
inflammation  is  already  begun,  from  the  creature's  being  feverish,  and 
staling  with  great  ditficulty,  the  operation  should  be  repeated ;  for 
unless  the  inflammation  be  prevented,  or  immediately  removed,  the 
consequence  will  be  fatal.  But,  although  bleeding  is  the  principal,  it 
is  not  the  only  remedy,  for  rowelling  is  of  great  service.  Put  a  rowel 
on  each  side  of  his  belly,  and  give  the  following  balls  twice  a  day,  in  a 
pint  of  the  decoction  of  marshmallows,  having  an  ounce  of  gum  arable, 
and  an  ounce  of  honey  dissolved  in  it. 

1  oz.  of  Salts  of  Prunella. 
6  drama  of  Spermaceti. 

2  oz.  of  Castile  Soap. 

Add  as  much  honey  as  will  make  a  ball ;  and  if  the  urine  be  bloody, 
an  ounce  of  Japan  earth  must  be  added.  If  the  fever  continue,  you 
must  repeat  the  bleeding,  and  give  emollient  clysters,  and  the  cooling, 
opening  drink  before  recommended  for  Fevers,  till  it  abate.  These 
methods  will  often  prove  successful,  but  sometimes  the  disease  i.s  too 
obstinate  to  be  overcome  by  them,  and  the  urine  still  passes  with  pain 
and  difficulty.  Recourse  must  then  be  had  to  the  following  balls,  and 
they  must  be  repeated  twice  a  day  till  the  horse  stale  without  pain, 
and  his  urine  become  clear,  and  without  any  purulent  settlement. 

1  oz.  of  Venice  Turpentine. 

1  do.     Ciistile  Soap. 
G  drams  of  Nitre. 

2  do.      Myrrli,  in  powder. 

Make  the  whole  into  a  ball  with  honey,  and  v/ash  it  down  \>ith  a 
strong  decoction  of  marshmallows. 

These  are  the  best  methods  of  treatment  in  this  disorder,  and  will 
in  general  prove  successful.  Sometimes  indeed  this  malady  is  too 
strong  for  the  power  of  medicine,  and  then  the  urine  continues  turbid, 
and  daily  becomes  of  a  deeper  color,  with  a  foetid  smell, — a  sure  sign 
that  the  kidneys  are  ulcerated ;  which  generally  terminates  in  a 
consumption,  and  the  creature  becomes  absolutely  incurable. 

In  treating  oftheCholic  I  have  recommended  a  method  for  removmg 
the  Stranguary,  when  it  proceeds  from  wind,  or  from  dung  pressing 
upon  the  neck  of  the'  bladder  ;  but  sometimes  it  proceeds  frcan  an 
inflammation,  and  a  retention  of  urine. 

Symptoms  of  an  Inflammation  of  the  neck  of  the  bladder. 
When  a  horse  is  seized  with  a  Stranguary  from  the  above  cause,  he 
will  make  frequent  motions  to  stale,  standing  wide  and  straddling, 


THE    COMPLETE    FARRIER.  36 

his  bladder  being  full  of  urine,  and  his  flanks  distended ;  he  will  be 
uneasy,  constantly  sliifting  his  hind  feet,  and  often  giving  clicks  in 
his  motions  ;  he  also  sometimes  hangs  his  head,  and  then  raises  it 
suddenly. 

Cure.     First  bleed  largely,  and  then  give  the  following. 

1  oz.  of  Spirits  of  Sweet  Nitre. 
4     do.     Syrup  of  Marsinnallows. 
1     do.    Venice  Soap. 

Cut  the  soap  small,  dissolve  it  in  a  gill  of  hot  water,  put  the  above 
to  it,  and  give  it  to  the  horse.  Repeat  it  every  eight  hours.  Also 
dissolve  an  ounce  of  gum  arable  and  an  ounce  of  nitre  in  a  gallon  of 
water,  and  let  him  drink  plentifully  of  it.  If  he  will  drink  it  of  his 
own  accord,  it  is  best ;  but  if  not,  horn  a  little  into  him,  for  it  will 
greatly  tend  to  remove  the  cause  of  the  disease,  and  consequently  to 
terminate  the  effects. 

There  is  a  disease  of  the  kidneys,  viz.  a  Diabetes,  or  profuse  stal- 
ing, which  produces  effects  directly  opposite.  This  disorder  is  seldom 
cured  in  old  horses,  as  their  fibres  are  become  rigid,  and  unable  to 
perform  their  office, — a  misfortune  which  all  the  power  of  medicine 
cannot  remove.  But  in  young  horses  this  disease  is  often  cured,  and 
the  following  method  will  generally  be  attended  with  success. 

Cure  of  a  Diabetes.  In  order  to  cure  this  threatening  disorder, 
great  care  must  be  taken  not  to  let  the  horse  drink  too  much  water, 
and  never  to  give  him  any  moist  food.  Attention  to  these  particulars 
will  go  a  great  way  towards  a  cure  ;  and  instead  of  giving  him  com- 
mon water  to  drink,  give  him  lime-water  ;  to  make  which,  take  about 
three  pounds  of  lime,  unslacked,  put  it  into  a  clean  vessel,  and  for 
every  pound  of  lime  pour  six  quarts  of  water  into  it ;  let  it  stand 
three  days,  take  the  scum  off  the  top,  and  give  the  horse  the  water  to 
drink.  (Be  careful  not  to  stir  the  lime  at  the  bottom  of  the  vessel.) 
This  is  a  very  clear,  wholesome  water,  and  very  good  for  many  dis- 
orders.    In  the  meantime  the  following  medicine  should  be  given. 

1  oz.  of  Peruvian  Bark. 

I     do.    Japan  Earth,  in  powder. 

1     do.    Irish  Slaie,  do. 

Give  these  in  lime  water,  and  you  may  repeat  it  as  often  as 
needful. 

Some  Farriers  give  strong  alum  possets  two  or  three  times  a  day ; 
but  this  kind  of  treatment  cannot  be  proper,  for  the  alum  takes  so 
fast  hold  of  the  juices  of  the  stomach,  that  if  the  horse  were  not  ill, 
it  would  be  enough  to  make  him  so.  But  if  the  above  are  properly 
given,  they  will  not  disappoint  expectation. 

THE   MOLTEN  GREASE. 

This  is  so  common  a  disorder,  that  it  ought  to  be  well  understood  ; 
but,  alas !  like  many  others,  it  is  often  mistaken  for  something  else. 
This  disease  is  a  melting  down  of  the  fat  of  the  horse's  body,  caused 
by  violent  exercise  in  very  hot  weather ;  or  if  the  horse  be  full  of 
fl(?sh,  it  may  happen  in  cold  weather.  Hard  riding,  or  sudden  colds, 
wi]]  brinsr  on  this  disorder. 


8(5  THE    COMPLETE    FARRIER. 

Symptoms.  It  is  always  attended  with  a  fever,  heat,  restlessness, 
starting  and  trembling,  inward  sickness,  and  shortness  of  breath. 
Also  the  horse's  dung  is  extremely  greasy,  and  he  often  falls  into  a 
scouring.  His  blood,  when  cold,  is  covered  with  a  thick  scum  of  fat, 
of  a  white  or  yellow  color,  but  generally  the  latter.  The  congealed 
part,  or  sediment,  appears  like  a  mixture  of  size  and  grease,  and  is 
so  extremely  slippery  that  it  will  not  adhere  to  the  fingers ;  and  the 
small  proportion  of  serum  is  also  slippery  and  clammy.  The  horse 
soon  loses  his  flesh  and  fat,  the  latter  being  probably  dissolved  into 
the  blood.  Such  as  have  sufficient  strength  to  sustain  the  first  shock, 
commonly  become  hidebound,  and  their  legs  swell  greatly ;  and  in 
this  state  they  continue  till  the  blood  and  juices  are  rectified ;  and  if 
that  is  not  done  effectually,  the  Farcy,  or  an  obstinate  Surfeit,  is 
generally  the  consequence,  which  cannot  be  removed  but  with  tho 
utmost  difficulty. 

Cure.  In  the  first  place,  bleed  pretty  plentifully,  and  repeat  thra 
operation  two  or  three  days  successively  ;  but  take  care  that  you  tak(i) 
only  a  small  quantity  at  a  time  after  the  first  bleeding,  as  otherwisw 
the  creature  would  be  rendered  too  weak  to  support  himself,  and  hiv 
blood  too  poor  to  be  easily  recruited.  As  soon  as  he  has  been  bleii 
the  first  time,  let  two  or  three  rowels  be  put  in,  and  the  emollienl 
clysters  prescribed  for  Fevers  be  thrown  up  daily,  to  mitigate  thv 
fever,  and  to  cleanse  the  intestines  from  the  greasy  matter.  At  th* 
same  time  plenty  of  water-gruel  should  be  given  him,  and  sometime**) 
a  small  quantity  of  water,  with  a  little  nitre  dissolved  in  it.  Thw 
latter  will  be  of  great  service,  as  it  will  prevent  the  blood  from  run 
ning  into  grumous  concretions,  and  proving  the  source  of  innumera 
ble  disorders,  if  not  causing  a  total  stagnation,  and  consequently  th'j 
death  of  the  animal. 

The  horse  must  be  treated  in  this  manner  till  the  fever  be  entireli' 
gone,  and  he  shall  have  recovered  his  appetite ;  and  then  it  will  bt) 
necessary  to  give  him  three  or  four  purges,  a  week  distant  from  each 
other,  which  will  make  him  stale  and  perspire  plentifully,  and  at  th« 
same  time  bring  down  the  swelling  of  his  legs.  The  following  iii 
well  calculated  for  the  purpose. 

6  drams  of  Socotrine  Aloes. 

4  do.  Guin  Guaiacum,  iu  powder 

2  do.  Ginger. 

2  do.  Jalap. 

2  do.  Oil  of  Juniper. 

To  be  made  into  a  ball  with  syrup  of  buckthorn.  By  pursuing 
this  method  the  horse  will  soon  be  recovered,  for  this  purge  will  mend 
his  appetite  and  increase  his  flesh.  If  it  be  too  weak,  add  a  dram 
more  of  aloes.  It  will  bring  down  his  swelled  legs,  and  carry  away 
all  the  superfluous  matter  that  clogs  the  blood.  When  you  give  the 
physic,  be  careful  to  give  plenty  of  warm  water  all  the  time. 

A   SURFEIT. 

Some  people  pronounce  every  ill-thriven  horse  surfeited,  whether 
il  is  so  or  not.     A  Surfeit  is  nothincr  more  than  the  effects  of  an  ill- 


THE    COMPLETE    FARRIER.  37 

cured  disease,  and  therefore  what  is  called  a  Surfeit  in  horses  i«  very 
different  to  the  disease  which  bears  that  name  in  the  human  body  ; 
tlie  latter  being  the  beginning  of  a  disease,  and  the  former  the  re- 
mains  of  one. 

Symptoms.  The  horse's  coat  will  stare,  look  of  a  rusty  color,  and 
even  appear  dirty,  althou-h  the  greatest  pains  have  been  taken  to 
keep  him  clean.  His  skin  will  be  covered  with  scales  and  dandriff, 
which  will  appear  like  meal  among  the  hair,  and  when  cleaned  off 
will  be  followed  by  a  continual  succession  of  the  same  matter,  occa- 
sioned by  the  perspiration  being  obstructed.  Some  horses  will  be 
covered  with  a  kind  of  scab,  sometimes  moist,  attended  with  heat  and 
inflammation,  and  the  humor  so  very  sharp,  and  causing  so  violent  an 
itching,  that  [he  creature  is  incessantly  rubbing  himself,  and  by  that 
means  making  himself  raw  in  difierent  parts  of  his  body.  Some 
horses  have  neither  scales,  dandriff,  nor  scab,  but  look  dull,  sluggish 
and  lazy.  Some  are  hidebound,  and  others  afflicted  with  flying  pains 
and  a  temporary  lameness.  In  short,  the  symptoms  are  very  various, 
and  almost  as  numerous  as  those  of  the  scurvy  itself. 

Causes.  The  causes  are  as  various  as  the  symptoms.  Some  horses 
are  surfeited  by  high  feeding  and  want  of  proper  exercise ;  which 
produce  a  bad  digestion,  and  generate  ill  humors.  Some  are  surfeit- 
ed by  unwholesome  food ;  some  by  hard  riding ;  some  by  drinking 
cold  water  when  they  are  hot ;  some  by  bad  or  improper  physic,  and 
Bome  by  standing  in  stables  through  which  the  rain  drops,  or  by  lying 
vi^et.  But  as  many  also  get  surfeited  by  standing  when  hot  at  the 
doors  of  public-houses,  such  bad  practices  should  be  guarded  against. 

Cure.  If  we  duly  consider  the  nature  of  Surfeits,  their  cure  will 
be  much  more  easily  performed.  All  allow  that  they  arise  from  a 
bad  state  of  the  blood;  but  how  is  this  to  be  remedied?  By  bleeding 
■and  purging.  But  this  must  be  done  in  a  very  gentle  manner.  Take 
about  a  quart  of  blood,  and  the  next  day  give  the  following  ball. 

1  oz.  of  Socotrine  Aloes. 

1  dram  of  Calomel  pp. 

2  do.  Oil  of  Aniseeds. 

Add  as  much  lenitive  electuary  as  will  make  it  into  a  ball.  Give 
plenty  of  warm  water  to  work  it  off.  Repeat  both  bleeding  and  physic 
in  eight  days ;  and  when  the  last  dose  is  wrought  off,  give  him"  six 
ounces  of  the  cordial  balls  in  a  little  warm  ale.  Also  give  a  spoon- 
ful of  the  follov/ing  powders  every  day  in  a  mash. 

4  oz.  of  Flour  of  Biimstone. 
4    do.     Crocus  Melalorum. 
'  4    do.     Nitre,  in  powder. 

Mix  all  Up  well  together.  By  persevering  in  the  above  method  you 
may  cure  the  most  inveterate  surfeit,  and  if  any  scabs  or  runnings 
appear  in  the  skin,  rub  them  with  the  following. 

4  oz.  of  Siilph  ir  Vivum. 
2  do.  White  Copperas. 
2    do.     White  Hellebore,  in  powder. 

Mix  these  powders  v/ith  churn-milk,  rub  the  places  affected  well, 
and  the  grievance  will  soon  disappear.     Sometimes  a  Surfeit  settles  ia 


38  THE    COMPLETE    FARRIER. 

the  legs,  and  they  swell  much,  and  then  break  out  and  run  very  much. 
When  tills  is  the  case,  two  taps  put  into  the  lower  belly  will  be  found 
of  great  use.  Staling  balls  should  be  given  every  third  day,  and 
plenty  of  warm  water  to  work  them  otf  with.  Make  the  staling-balls 
as  follows. 

1  oz.  of  White  Rosin. 

4  dranis  of  Castile  Soap. 

2  do.     Oil  of  Juniper. 
2    do.     Camphor. 

4    do.     SaltpeU-e. 

Bray  all  well  together  into  a  paste,  in  a  mortar,  and  form  it  into  a 
ball.  The  above  is  only  for  one  dose,  but  you  may  make  as  many  as 
you  think  proper  at  once,  and  keep  them  for  use.  Give  them  at  night, 
and  they  will  work  olf  the  next  day.  These  balls  are  of  great  s*ervice 
in  many  of  the  disorders  of  horses,  and  some  of  the  best  staling-balls 
yet  found  out. 

By  following  the  above  directions,  a  cure  will  generally  be  pei- 
fornied.  Sometimes  in  this  disorder  little  knots  break  out,  especially 
upon  the  hind  parts  of  the  horse,  and  these  knots  throw  out  a  little 
matter.  When  this  is  the  case,  you  must  rub  them  with  strong  mer- 
curial  ointment.  Sometimes  these  little  tubes,  or  pustules,  have  living 
insects  in  them :  but  by  rubbing  them  as  I  have  just  directed  you,  they 
will  be  destroyed,  and  the  cure  completed. 

THE    HIDEBOUND. 

This  disorder  is  too  often  brought  on  by  the  horse  being  worked  too 
hard,  and  badly  kept ;  although  this  is  not  always  the  case.  When 
the  skin  of  a  horse  sticks  so  close  to  his  ribs  that  it  appears  immovable, 
the  horse  is  said  to  be  hidebound.  But  this  is  not  properly  a  disease, 
but  rather  a  symptom,  being  often  caused  by  previous  disorders,  such 
as  fevers,  convulsions,  surfeits,  worms,  or  disorders  of  the  kidneys  or 
lungs. 

Cure.  As  the  hidebound  may  proceed  from  various  causes,  it  ii 
necessary  to  determine  the  cause,  before  such  medicines  can  be  ap. 
plied  as  will  remove  it. 

If  it  owe  its  origin  to  hard  labor  and  want  of  food,  rest  and  plentj' 
will  soon  remove  it.  If  it  be  caused  by  worms,  worm  medicines  must 
be  applied  ;  or  if  it  be  left  by  any  imperfectly-cured  disorder,  the  fol- 
lowing drink  must  be  given. 

2  oz.  of  Aniseeds,  in  powder. 
2  do.     Ginger,  in  powder. 

1  do.    Grains  of  l^uradise, 

2  do.     Mustard. 
2  do*     Turmeric. 

All  to  be  powdered,  and  to  be  given  in  warm  ale,  fasting,  and  to  fast 
TWO  hours  after.  Give  warm  water  two  or  three  times.  Bleeding, 
tapping,  and  physic  are  also  necessary,  when  the  hidebound  is  left  by 
any  disorder. 

THE   MANGE. 

This  disorder  is  more  shameful  than  dangerous,  for  you  cannot  go 
abroad  with  a  scabbed  horse  without  being  hissed  at,  neither  is  it 


THE  00M1»LETE  FARRIER.  S& 

proper  ;  for  this  disease  is  so  infectious  that  every  horse  ,hat  may 
come  near  it  will  be  in  danger. 

The  Mange  is  too  well  known  to  need  a  long  description,  'hough 
some  have  been  mistaken,  and  have  taken  a  hot,  itching  eruption  for  it. 

Symptoms.  At  first  it  is  confined  to  the  skin,  but  by  long  continu- 
ance it  vitiates  and  pollutes  the  blood.  The  skin  is  generally  thick, 
and  full  of  wrinkles,  especially  about  the  mane,  the  loins,  and  the 
tail ;  and  the  little  hair  remaining  on  those  parts  stands  erect.  The 
ears  and  eyebrows  are  commonly  naked;  and  when  the  limbs  are 
affected,  they  have  the  same  appearance ;  but  at  the  same  time  the 
horse  is  not  raw,  nor  does  the  skin  peel  off  as  in  a  surfeit. 

Causes.  The  Mange  is  generally  taken  by  infection,  for  it  is  so 
very  catching,  that  if  a  horse  be  put  into  a  stable  where  one  in  the 
mange  has  stood,  before  it  be  thoroughly  cleansed,  he  will  hardly  fail 
being  infected.  But  though  infection  is  the  general,  it  is  not  the  only 
cause  of  the  IMange.  Low  feeding,  and  running  long  abroad  in  cold, 
pinching  weather,  without  sufficient  provender,  will  cause  horses  to 
have  the  ]\Iange. 

Cure.  When  the  horse  has  been  infected  by  another,  the  disorder 
is  not  so  obstinate  as  when  caused  by  starvation,  for  the  blood  will  not 
be  in  so  bad  a  state.  When  you  think  a  horse  has  got  the  Mange, 
apply  the  following  where  you  think  it  needful,  and  it  will  cure  it  at 
the  beginning  without  much  trouble  or  expense. 

4  oz.  of  Sulphur  Viviiin. 
4  do.  VVIiite  Copperas. 
4  do.     White  ilellehore  Root,  in  powder.         » 

Mix  all  together  in  two  quarts  of  churn-milk,  and  rub  the  places 
well.  By  this  method  you  may  cure  most  scabs  of  short  duration  ; 
but  when  once  the  mange  has  got  great  hold,  it  will  require  sharper 
treatment.     Make  the  following  for  one  horse. 

4  oz.  of  Sulphur  Vivuni. 

2  do.     White  HcUeboie  Root,  in  powder. 

2  do.    Blue  Stone  Vitriol,  in  powder. 
I  do.     V'erdi2:rise,  in  powder. 

4  do.     Flanders  Oil  of  Bays. 

3  gills  of  Whale  Oil. 

Mix  all  well  together,  and  rub  the  horse  well  with  it  all  over  in  the 
sun,  if  in  Summer,  but  before  a  fire  if  in  winter.  In  Summer  you 
must  also  turn  him  out  to  grass  after  rubbing,  but  in  Winter  keep  him 
warm  in  the  house.  You  must  be  careful  to  wash  your  saddles  and 
bridles,  cart-gears,  stands,  mangers,  racks,  &c.,  well  with  quick-lime 
and  chamber-lie  ;  for  if  vov:  do  not  clean  all  that  the  horse  may  have 
used,  the  infection  will  remain.  You  will  find  the  above  a  certain 
cure,  if  managed  rightly,  for  I  have  cured  hundreds  with  it,  and  I  do 
not  remember  one  instance  of  its  failure. 

At  the  same  time  give  freely  of  flour  of  sulphur  and  liver  of  anti- 
mony; and  if  you  have  a  number  of  horses  infected,  be  sui'e  to  rub 
them  all  together. 

Some  people  say  that  when  a  horse  is  rubbed  for  the  scab  he  will 
infect  others,  but  I  am  of  opinion  that  he  will  not,  neither  do  I  re- 
member  an  instance  of  it. 


40  THE    COMPLETE    FARRIER. 


THE   FARCY,  OR   FARCIN. 


There  have  been  many  opuiions  respecting  t  lis  disease.  .Some 
authors  reckon  five  kinds  j  but  although  there  are  so  many  different 
branches,  yet  four  of  them  have  the  same  root.  The  Water  Farcy 
Is  dilfercnt  from  the  others,  and  therefore  I  shall  put  it  afterwards,  by 
itself.  There  is  a  scurvy  which  horses  are  subject  to,  and  wliich  is 
often  called  a  Farcy;  but  it  is  no  such  thing,  for  there  are  only  the 
two  kinds  of  the  Farcy,  which  I  here  shall  treat  upon.  Horses  are 
alien  said  to  have  the  Farcy  when  they  have  not,  for  sometimes  when 
people  do  not  know  the  proper  name  of  a  disorder,  they  call  it  the 
Farcy.  The  true  Farcy  is  a  disorder  of  the  blood-vessels,  and  gen- 
erally follows  the  course  of  the  veins,  and  when  inveterate,  thickens 
their  coats  and  integuments  in  such  a  manner  that  they  become  like 
so  many  cords. 

Symptoms.  At  the  beginning  of  this  disorder  a  few  small  knobs, 
or  tumors,  resembling  grapes,  are  found  on  the  veins,  which  are  so 
painful  to  the  touch  tiiat  the  creature  shows  evident  marks  of  uneasi- 
ness on  their  being  pressed  with  the  finger.  They  are  at  first  very 
hai'd,  like  unripe  grapes,  but  in  a  very  little  time  they  grow  soft,  and 
break  and  discharge  a  bloody  matter,  and  become  very  foul  and  un- 
toward ulcers.  This  disease  appears  in  difierent  places  in  different 
horses.  Some  show -it  first  on  the  head;  some  on  the  external  jugu- 
lar vein;  some  on  the  plate  vein,  extending  from  thence  downward, 
on  the  inside  of  the  fore-leg,  towards  the  knee,  or  upwards  towards 
the  brisket.  In  some  it  first  appears  about  the  pasterns,  on  the  sides 
of  the  large  veins,  and  on  the  insides  of  the  thighs,  extending  towards 
the  groin ;  in  others  on  the  flanks,  spreading  by  degrees  towards  the 
lower  belly;  and  some  horses  are  nearly  covered  all  over  the  body  at 
once. 

Cure.  When  the  Farcy  attacks  only  one  part  of  a  horse,  and  that 
where  the  biood-vesscls  are  small,  it  may  be  easily  cured  ;  but  when 
the  plate  vein  is  affected,  and  turns  corded  :  and  especially  when  the 
crural  veins,  withinside  the  thigh,  are  in  that  condition,  tlie  cure  is 
very  difficult,  and  the  creature  is  rarely  fit  for  any  thing  but  the  low. 
est  work  after  it.  Therefore  those  who  depend  upon  some  particular 
medicine,  and  flatter  themselves  with  being  able  to  cure  every  species 
of  the  Farcy  with  it,  will  find  themselves  wretchedly  mistaken ;  for 
different  medicines  are  needful,  according  as  the  disease  is  superficial 
or  inveterate.  The  former  is  easily  cured,  for  sometimes  moderate 
exercise  is  sufficient;  but  the  latter  requires  knowledge  and  experi- 
ence; and  sometimes  baffles  the  most  skilful,  and  defies  the  whole 
power  of  medicine. 

From  the  above  description  of  this  disease  it  appears  tliat  it  is  of 
the  inflammatory  kind,  and  that  the  blood-vessels  are  affected.  Copi- 
ous bleedings  are  therefore  absolutely  necessary,  especially  if  the 
horse  be  fat  and  full  of  blood.  This  evacuation  always  checks  the 
progress  of  the  Farcy  in  its  beginning,  but  its  good  effects  soon  van- 
ish, especially  if  the  hors^  be  low  in  ficbh.  After  bleeding,  mix  th(» 
following. 


THE    COMPLETE    FARRIEE.  41 

4  oz.  of  Cream  of  Tartar. 

4  do.  Liver  of  Antimony. 

4  clo.  Lenitive  Electuary. 

4  do.  Ct'.stile  Soap 

2  drains  of  Calomel,  3  drams  to  an  0£. 

-Vlake  these  into  balls,  and  give  two  ounces  a  day  for  some  time. 
While  giving  these  balls,  dissolve  a  little  nitre  in  the  water  given  to  the 
horse  to  drink.  These  medicines  will  keep  his  body  open,  and  allay 
the  inflammatory  heat  of  his  blood,  Avhich  is  the  principal  cause  of 
the  disease;  and  wliile  they  are  given  inwardly  to  remove  the  cause, 
let  the  tumors  be  rubbed  twice  a  day  with  the  following  ointment. 

4  oz.  of  Elder  Ointment. 
4  do.  Flanders  Oil  of  Bays. 
2  do.  White  Vitriol. 

1  do.  Red  Precipitate. 

2  do.  Sugar  of  Lead. 

Beat  all  well  together  into  an  ointment,  and  keep  it  for  use.  This 
ointment  will  soon  disperse  the  tumors,  which  will  leave  small  bald 
spots  on  the  skin,  but  the  hair  will  grow  again  in  time.  If  the  tu- 
mors break,  and  run  a  thick,  well-digested  matter,  it  is  a  sign  that 
the  disease  is  conquered,  and  the  horse  will  soon  be  well  ;^  but  it  will 
be  necessary  to  give  him  two  ounces  of  liver  of  antimony  every  day 
for  a  fortnight,  and  two  ounces  every  other  day  for  a  fortnight  after, 
iQ  order  to  sweeten  his  blood,  and  disperse  the  small  bunches  that 
remain. 

This  method  will  never  fail  when  the  small  veins  only  are  affected ; 
c.nd  a  «hort  time  will  complete  the  cure. 

But  when  the  Farcy  atfects  the  large  blood-vessels,  the  cure  is  far 
more  difficult.  Let  the  practitioner  always  attempt  it  at  the  begin- 
ning of  the  disease,  as  he  then  will  have  fewer  difliculties  to  encoun- 
ter; for  delay  renders  that  almost  impossible  to  be  overcome  which 
at  first  might  have  been  easily  conquered.  Therefore,  when  the  plate 
cr  crural  veins  are  corded,  lose  no  time,  but  bleed  immediately  on 
tie  opposite  side,  and  apply  to  the  distempered  vein  the  following 
mixture,  which  is  proper  to  dress  the  wounds  with,  but  not  before  they 
are  broken  out. 

1  dram  of  Corrosive  Sublimate. 
*  1  oz.  of  Spirit?  of  Salt. 

Powder  the  sublimate,  and  put  it  into  a  bottle,  and  put  the  spirits  of 
salt  upon  it  to  dissolve  it ;  then  add  two  ounces  of  vinegar,  by  degrees. 
This  is  a  very  proper  mixture  to  dress  the  ulcers  with;  but  if  it  can- 
not be  easily  got,  take — 

G  oz.  of  Oil  of  Turpentine. 

3  do.     Oil  of  \itriul. 

Put  the  pot  in  water  with  the  turpentine  in  it,  and  pour  the  oil  ol 
vitriol  in,  a  little  at  a  lime,  and  keep  stirring  it  till  it  shall  have  sub- 
sided. If  the  Farcy  be  situate  in  the  loose  and  fleshy  parts,  such  as 
the  flanks  and  the  belly,  tlie  mixture  should  consist  of  equal  parts  of 
oil  of  turpentine  and  oil  of  vitriol ;  but  when  the  seat  of  the  disease  is 
in  the  parts  which  are  less  fleshy,  the  proportions  above  are  best  cal- 
culated to  perform  a  cure.     The  medicine  must  be  used  in  the  follow 


42  THE    COMPLETE    FARRIER. 

ng  manner.  Rub  the  parts  affected  with  a  woollen  cloth,  and  then 
apply  some  of  the  compound  oil  to  every  bud  and  tumor.  Continue 
this  method  twice  a  day,  and  at  the  same  time  give  cooling  physic 
every  other  day.  The  balls  and  nitrous  draughts  befoi'e  mentioned 
will  answer  the  intention.  By  this  treatment  the  tumors  will  be  di- 
gested, and  the  cords  dissolved  ;  but  it  will  be  necessary  to  give  liver 
of  antimony  to  complete  the  cure,  and  to  prevent  a  relapse  ;  and  also 
to  dress  tlie  sores,  when  well  digested,  with  a  mixture  of  bees'  wax 
and  oil,  which  will  heal  them,  and  smooth  the  skin. 

Sometimes  the  disease  will  not  yield  to  this  treatment,  especially 
when  situate  near  the  flanks  or  the  lower  belly.  In  that  case  it  will 
be  necessary  to  bathe  the  parts  with  the  compound  oil,  as  far  as  the 
centre  of  the  belly ;  and  at  the  same  time  to  give  a  course  of  antimo- 
nial  medicines. 

The  following  composition  is  stronger  than  the  last,  and  on  that  ac- 
count is  often  used  when  the  disease  is  obstinate. 

4  oz.  of  Spirits  of  Wine. 
2  do.  Oil  of  Turpeiuine. 
4  do.     Oil  of  Vitriol. 

2  do.    Vinegar. 

Mix  all  together,  with  the  caution  before  directed.  When  this 
method  fails,  and  the  disorder  becomes  inveterate,  try  the  following, 
which  is  recommended  by  an  eminent  practitioner. 

1  pint  of  Linseed  Oil. 

3  oz.  of  Oil  of  Turpentine. 
3    do.    Oil  of  Peter. 

2  do.    Oil  of  Bays. 

^  do.     Oil  of  Origanum. 

J  do.     Strong  Aquiifonis. 

2  do.     Barbadocs  Tar. 

2  drams  of  Tincture  of  Euphorbiuni. 

Mix  all  together  with  caution,  as  before  directed.  This  medicme 
must  be  rubbed  on  the  tumors  and  corded  veins  once  in  two  or  three 
days,  observing  that  if  the  mouths  of  tiie  ulcers  are  choked  up,  or  so 
thick  as  to  confine  the  matter,  to  open  a  passage  with  a  small  hot  iron  ; 
and  also  to  destroy  the  proud  flesh,  which  may  be  kept  down  by 
touching  it  occasionally  with  oil  of  vitriol,  aquafortis  or  butter  of 
antimony. 

In  this  disorder,  these  are  the  best  ways  of  proceeding  that  have  yet 
been  discovered  ;  but  it  is  to  be  considered  as  an  obstinate  one,  and  is 
sometimes  very  bad  to  cure.  It  has  hitlierto  baffled  many  an  able 
practitioner,  and  it  is  to  be  feared  will  baffle  many  more  ;  for  when  the 
blood  has  got  into  such  a  corrupted  state,  it  bids  defiance  to  medicines. 

The  ingenious  Dr.  Brackden  recommends  tlie  strong  mercurial 
ointment  for  rubbing  the  cords  and  tumors  with  before  they  break  ; 
and  in  order  to  disperse  them  when  they  are  broken,  to  dress  the  sores 
with  a  mixture  composed  of  equal  parts  of  Venice  turpentine  and 
quicksilver.  If  the  mouth  become  sore  by  this  means,  a  gentle  purge 
should  be  given  to  prevent  salivation.  This  is  doubtless  a  very  good 
method,  and  if  care  be  taken,  will  often  prove  effectual.  He  also 
recommends  the  following  alterative  ball. 


THE    COMPLETE    FARRIER.  43 

1  oz.  of  Liver  of  Antimony. 
1  do.     Bezoar  Mineral. 
4  do.    Cordial  ball. 

Beat  all  well  together,  and  give  about  the  size  of  a  walnut  every 
day  for  some  time,  fasting,  and  to  fast  two  or  three  hours  after. 

I  have  given  you  the  best  prescriptions  that  I  am  able  to  give,  and 
such  as  will  not  fail  to  cure  if  properly  applied,  if  the  horse  be  not  in- 
curable. I  have  been  more  particular  in  treating  of  this  disease,  be- 
cause it  is  common  among  horses,  and  very  often  managed  improperly 
by  those  who  pretend  to  cure  it.  Such  therefore  as  have  valuable 
horses  in  this  disease,  would  do  well  to  be  careful  whom  they  employ, 
and  assiduous  in  observing  the  methods  they  make  use  of  to  cure  it, 
if  they  do  not  think  proper  to  attempt  a  cure  themselves.  But  in  my 
opinion  they  may  do  it  better  themselves,  by  following  these  directions, 
than  most  farriers  they  can  employ. 

THE    WATER    FARCY. 

This  disease  varies  very  much  from  the  last,  and  would  more 
properly  be  called  a  Dropsy  than  a  Farcy.  There  are  two  kinds  of 
this  disorder,  but  they  are  nearly  of  the  same  nature.  One  of  them 
is  produced  by  indisposition  terminating  in  the  skin,  as  is  often  the 
case  in  epidemical  colds ;  the  other  is  a  true  dropsy,  where  the  water 
is  not  confined  to  the  belly  and  limbs,  but  is  found  in  different  parts 
of  the  body,  and  a  great  number  of  soft  swellings  appear.  When 
you  press  the  finger  pretty  hard  upon  any  of  the  swelled  parts,  or 
under  the  belly,  it  will  leave  a  dimple,  as  if  it  were  pressed  on  paste. 
When  you  find  those  swellings  under  the  horse's  belly,  or  on  any  part 
of  the  body,  you  may  take  it  for  granted  that  he  has  got  the  Dropsy, 
or  what  is  called  the  Water  Farcy. 

This  disorder  mostly  proceeds  from  foul  feeding,  or  a  continuance 
of  very  wet  weather  in  the  end  of  Summer.  It  mostly  happens  in 
the  autumnal  season,  and  greatly  injures  the  health  of  such  horses 
as  stay  abroad,  rendering  the  blood  sluggish  and  viscid. 

Cure.  Wherever  the  swellings  appear,  make  scarifications,  that 
is,  holes  through  the  skin.  This  may  be  done  by  a  short  fleam  ;  and 
if  you  have  not  one  short  enough,  put  a  collar  made  of  a  piece  of 
leather  on  it.  If  the  sv/elling  be  under  the  belly,  strike  a  good  many 
holes  in  at  a  time,  but  be  careful  to  avoid  the  veins.  By  this  means 
a  great  quantity  of  water  will  run  out.  Taps  in  the  brisket  are  also 
often  of  great  service.  I  have  fleamed  horses  four  or  five  times 
before  I  could  get  the  swelling  to  subside.  When  the  water  has 
subsided,  the  blood  is  left  in  a  bad  state,  to  remedy  which  a  gentle 
purge  should  be  given  two  or  three  times,  eight  days  distance,  to  re- 
cover the  crasis  of  the  blood,  and  brace  up  the  relaxed  fibres  of  the 
whole  body.  Lime-water  is  very  proper,  with  a  little  nitre  in  it,  and 
let  the  horse's  food  be  warm  mashes  of  bran,  with  a  little  malt  in  it. 
His  keep  must  be  increased  by  degrees.  The  disorder  mostly  hap- 
pens to  young  horses  that  have  not  been  used  to  high  keep.  You 
must  give  one  of  the  following  balls  every  day,  omitting  the  time 
when  the  physic  is  working. 


44  THE    COMPLETE    FARRIER. 

2  oz.  of  Squills. 
1     do.     Camphor. 

1  do.     Castile  Soap. 
J     do.    Tuijieutiiie. 

4    do.    Yellow  llosin. 

Make  these  into  a  ball  with  honey,  and  give  one  ounce  at  a  time. 
These  balls  will  work  the  water  off  by  urine.  When  the  horse  has 
been  treated  in  this  manner  till  the  water  is  evacuated,  and  he  begins 
to  recover,  give  him  a  pint  of  the  following  infusion  every  day  lor  a 
fortoight,  fasting,  and  let  him  fast  one  hour  after  each  dose. 

4  oz.  of  Gentian  Root. 
4     do.     Black  Hellehore. 

2  do.    Jesuit's  Uurk. 

4    do.     Cunioiuile  Flowers. 
1  Handful  of  Centaury. 

Boil  all  together  in  six  qurrts  of  water,  for  ten  minutes,  let  it  stand 
till  cool,  and  then  strain  it  through  a  cloth.  This  strengthening 
drink  will  brace  the  fibres,  cause  the  fluids  to  circulate  quicker,  and 
complete  the  cure. 

SPRAINS. 

All  kinds  of  Sprains  resemble  each  other.  They  are  a  relaxation 
of  the  tendinous  fibres,  from  the  muscular  parts  being  overstretched. 

A    SPRAIN    IN    THE    BACK. 

Sprains  in  the  back  are  mostly  caused  by  over-weighting  the  horse, 
or  by  his  loosing  his  hind-feet  on  the  side  of  a  hill  ;  and  sometimes 
by  putting  him  back  too  quickly.  There  is  much  difference  between 
a  Sprain  in  the  back,  and  what  is  called  tifled  in  the  back.  Some- 
times a  horse  catches  cold  in  his  loins  by  having  his  clothes  or  his 
saddle  taken  off  when  he  is  hot,  and  being  turned  out  of  doors  ;  and 
some  horses  are  subject  to  Rheumatics,  which  make  them  lame  in 
many  places,  and  are  generally  taken  for  Sprains. 

To  cure  a  Sprain  in  the  back,  first  bleed  pretty  freely,  and  then 
give  the  following  drink. 

1  oz.  of  Tincture  ofGuaiacum. 
1     do.     Balsam  Capivi. 

1  do.     Oil  of  Junij)er. 

To  be  put  into  a  quart  of  strong  parsley-root  tea  ;  half  to  be  given 
at  night,  half  in  the  morning,  and  plenty  of  warm  water  to  work 
them  off. 

Also  lay  a  sheep's  skin  with  the  flesh  side  to  his  loins  for  six  or 
eight  hours,  if  he  can  bear  it;  and  then  turn  the  wool  side  to  him, 
and  let  it  stay  on  a  day ;  and  when  you  take  it  off,  sheet  him  well  for 
fear  of  catching  cold.     Also  make  a  plaster  of  the  following. 

2  oz.  of  Oxycroscura. 
2    do.     Paracellis. 

2    do.     Red  Doiniiiion. 
2    do.    Burgundy  Pitch. 

Melt  all  together,  and  lay  them  on  pretty  warm,  and  put  a  little 
wool,  clipped  short,  on  the  charge  while  hot,  and  then  pour  on  a  little 


THE    COMPLETE    FARRIER.  45 

cold  water  to  fasten  the  whole  together.     These  are  the  best  methods 
I  am  acquainted  with. 

A   SPRAIN    IN   THE   SHOULDER. 

When  the  shoulder  of  a  horse  is  sprained,  he  does  not  put  out  that  leg 
like  the  other,  but  in  order  to  ease  it  sets  the  sound  foot  firmly  on  the 
ground.  When  trotted  in  hand  he  forms  a  kind  of  circle  with  his 
lame  leg,  instead  of  putting  it  forward,  and  when  he  stands  in  the  stable 
that  leg  is  advanced  before  the  other. 

There  is  what  is  called  a  Shoulder-slip,  which  is  worse  than  a 
Sprain.  When  this  happens  the  horse  can  neither  lift  his  leg  nor  put 
it  forwards.  You  may  know  this  by  the  shoulder-blade  standing 
higher  than  the  other;  but  to  discern  that  you  must  make  him  stand 
on  the  lame  leg,  for  the  leg  he  stands  on  will  always  appear  a  little 
higher  than  the  other.  The  flesh  will  also  shortly  waste  away  from 
the  shoulder-blade,  which  is  a  sure  sign  of  a  Shoulder-slip.  When  this 
accident  has  taken  place,  put  a  tap  into  the  lame  side  of  the  animal's 
breast,  and  blow  the  shoulder  full  of  wind  with  a  pipe.  When  you 
have  rinded  the  skin  to  put  the  tap  in,  hold  the  skin  fast  to  the  pipe, 
and  blow  the  part  that  you  have  rinded  full,  and  let  some  one  draw 
the  wind  up  into  the  shoulder  with  the  edge  of  his  hand  as  far  as  the 
top  of  the  shoulder-blade,  and  then  put  in  the  tap,  or  rowel,  and  stop 
the  hole  up  well  with  tow  and  salve.  Give  warm  water  for  three  days, 
and  then  open  the  place,  stir  the  tap  round,  and  rub  the  shoulder  all 
over  with  the  following  liniment. 

2  07..  of  Spirits  of  Wine. 

2    do.     Sweet  Oil. 

2   do.    Spirits  of  Sal  Ammoniac. 

Shake  them  well  together,  rub  the  shoulder  well  with  the  mixture 
every  third  day  for  some  time,  and  if  the  horse  do  not  get  better  with 
three  or  four  times  rubbing,  use  the  following. 

2  oz.  of  Oil  of  Turpentine. 
1  do.  Oil  of  Origanum. 
1     do.    Oil  of  Bricks. 

Shake  these  up  together,  rub  all  on  at  a  time,  and  walk  the  horse 
about  a  little  afterwards.  When  near  the  sea,  swimming  in  the  salt 
water  is  very  proper,  and  I  have  known  swimming  in  fresh  water  be 
of  great  use. 

A  Sprain  in  the  shoulder  point  requires  nearly  the  same  treatment 
as  a  slip,  but  you  need  not  blow  it.  When  it  is  attended  by  inflam- 
mation, cooling  mixtures,  such  as  extract  of  lead  and  water,  must  be 
used.  But  when  a  swelling  or  an  inflammation  takes  place,  it  is 
mostly  caused  by  a  hurt,  or  by  a  stroke  from  another  horse.  If  there 
be  no  swelling,  rub  the  shoulder  point  well  with  the  following  mixture 
every  third  day, 

1  oz.  of  Oil  of  Peter. 
1   do.  Oil  of  Amber. 
1   do.  Oil  of  Spike. 
1   do.  Oil  of  Bricks. 

Shake  these  well  together,  and  rub  the  shoulder  point  eveiy  other 
day.     If  the  horse  be  not  better,  take 


46  THE    COMPLETE    FARRlEtt. 

1  oz.  of  Oil  of  Tuqiemine, 
1   do.   Oil  of  Origanum. 
1    do.   Oil  of  Swallows. 
1   do.   Oil  of  Amber. 

Shake  these  together,  and  rub  the  shoulder  point  well  with  them 
every  third  day;  and  if  the  liorse  continue  lame,  recourse  must  be 
had  to  blistering. 

A  SPRAIN    IN  THE   COFFIN  JOINT. 

Tliis  is  often  a  grievous  disease,  and  it  is  difficult  to  discover  where 
the  lameness  is.  It  is  often  neglected  till  the  joint  grows  stiff,  and 
then  the  horse  pitches  upon  his  toe,  and  is  afraid  of  bearing  any 
weight  on  his  foot.  If  you  press  with  your  thumb  in  the  hole  in  the 
horse's  heel,  and  upon  the  cornet  of  his  foot,  you  will  soon  discover 
whether  the  hurt  is  in  the  Coffin  Joint. 

When  people  cannot  tell  the  cause  of  a  horse's  lameness,  they 
often  say  that  he  has  got  sprained  in  the  coffin.  In  my  opinion  it  is 
better  not  to  doctor  a  horse  than  to  apply  stuff  to  you  know  not  what. 
If  people  would  have  a  little  patience,  most  lamenesses  would  soon 
show  themselves,  especially  a  Sprain  in  the  Coffin  Joint,  for  it  would 
raise  a  ring  round  the  cornet  of  the  foot,  not  much  unlike  a  Ring- 
bone, but  closer  to  the  foot. 

The  first  thing  to  be  done  is  to  draw  a  little  blood  from  the  spurn 
vein,  then  mix  an  equal  quantity  of  oil  of  bays,  and  oil  of  origanum, 
beat  well  together,  and  rub  well  all  round,  just  above  the  hoof.  Apply 
this  for  three  or  four  days  together,  and  if  no  better,  you  must  have 
recourse  to  repeated  blistering. 

A   SPRAIN    IN  THE    BACK   SINEWS. 

This  kind  of  sprain  is  more  frequent  among  horses  than  any  other, 
and  is  so  common  that  I  need  not  describe  it,  but  only  inform  you  how 
to  cure  it. 

If  it  be  recent,  bathe  the  leg  with  a  little  hot  vinegar,  or  verjuice, 
with  a  little  saltpetre  dissolved  in  it,  and  put  round  it  a  proper  ban- 
dage :  or,  curriers'  shavings,  wetted  with  a  composition  made  of 
vinegar,  spirits  of  wine,  and  a  little  tar,  and  laid  on  the  swelling  with 
a  pretty  tight  bandage  round  them,  will  be  of  great  use.  Take  it  off 
once  a  day,  and  soak  the  shavings  again,  or  get  fresh.  Injuries  of 
this  kind  must  not  be  expected  to  be  removed  immediately.  Rest  is 
absolutely  necessary,  and  turning  the  horse  out  to  grass  would  be  of 
great  service  as  soon  as  the  swelling  disappears,  but  not  before.  If 
these  methods  fail,  the  next  thing  is  to  blister;  for  I  have  known  blis- 
tering succeed  when  all  the  former  have  failed.  The  last  thing  to 
have  recourse  to  is  firin'j. 

SPRMNB    Of    THE    KNEES    AND    PASTERNS. 

The  knees  are  iiatk  to  many  misfortunes  besides  sprains.  The 
Speedy  Cut  is  clcnii  by  striking  one  foot  against  the  other  leg,  just  be 
low  the  knge,  at'.T  is  frequently   done  by  a  horse   that  trots  high. 


THE    COMPLETE    FARRIER.  47 

tSometimes  it  swells  very  much,  and  is  taken  for  a  sprain.  Some- 
times horses  get  kicked  by  others,  or  meet  with  some  other  accident 
which  causes'a  swelled  knee,  which  is  sometimes  bad  to  remove.  A 
poultice  made  as  follows  will  have  a  great  tendency  to  remove  the 
swelling.     Take 

4  oz.of  Tar. 
4    do.    Sjiiiits  of  Wine. 
•'  3    do.    Hogs'  Lard. 

Melt  these  together  over  a  slow  fire,  and  be  careful  not  to  set  fire 

to  them,  and  put  in  as  much  linseed-meal  as  will  make  them  of  a 

proper  consistence.     This  is  a  very  good  poultice  for  many  other 

kinds  of  swellings,  and  although  but  little  known  hitherto,  I  hope 

that  it  will  be  found  of  great  service.     If  any  substance  be  left  which 

will  not  give  way  to  this  method,  you  must  lay  on  a  little  blistering 

ointment. 

LAMENESS    IN    THE    STIFFLE. 

The  Stiffle  is  the  tenderest  part  of  a  horse,  except  the  eye.  How 
many  horses  have  lost  their  lives  by  misfortunes  in  this  part,  and  how 
many  have  been  left  lame  by  not  being  properly  cured !  A  horse 
that  is  lame  in  the  stiffle  generally  treads  on  his  toe,  and  cannot  set 
his  heel  to  the  ground  without  great  pain  and  difficulty.  When  you 
find  this  is  the  case,  bathe  the  part  well  with  warm  vinegar  j  and  if  a 
puny  swelling  appear,  foment  it  well  with  a  woollen  cloth  wrung  out 
of  hot  vinegar,  wormwood  and  rosemary,  having  added  half  a  pint  of 
spirits  of  wine  to  a  quart  of  the  decoction.  Let  this  operation  be 
continued  till  the  swelling  is  nearly  gone. 

When  a  horse  has  got  a  stroke  and  cut  by  the  heel  of  his  shoe, 
great  care  must  be  taken  to  keep  out  the  cold  air,  and  to  keep  him 
from  drinking  cold  water,  especially  in  winter  time  ;  for  if  the  horse 
take  cold,  and  an  inflammation  come  on,  there  is  reason  to  fear  ihed 
death  will  follow.  When  you  perceive  that  a  horse  has  got  a  stroke, 
and  is  cut  through  the  skin,  bathe  it  well  with  the  following  mixture. 

2  oz.  of  Spirits  of  Wine. 

1    do.    Sinrits  of  Sal  Ammoniac. 

1     do.     Oil  of  Amber. 

Shake  all  well  together,  bathe  the  place  well  with  it,  and  lay  on  a 
diachylon  plaster  with  gum,  in  order  to  keep  out  the  cold.  If  the 
horse  grow  very  lame,  and  the  place  swell  much,  foment  with  the 
following. 

Take  Wormwood,  Elder  Leaves,  Camomile  Flowers,  Juniper  Berries,  ana  Marsi»:ua.'lcw 
Leaves,  of  each  a  handful,  and  boil  them  in  tug  gallons  of  Chamber-lie. 

If  the  above  cannot  all  be  got,  take  double  the  quantity  Oif  jxjixnpftf 
berries  and  camomile  flowers,  and  foment  for  some  time  as  b"--fcre 
directed  ;  and  when  you  leave  off*  fomenting,  rub  with  the  above 
mixture.  Be  careful  to  wrap  the  part  up  warm,  and  as  soon  as  it 
comes  to  matter,  dress  it  v/ith  basil  icon  ointment.  If  any  brown  lee 
appear,  syringe  tincture  of  Benjamin,  or  b3,lm  drops,  into  the  wound. 
When  a  callous  substance,  or  proud  flesh  appears,  eat  it  off"  with  red 
precipitate.  These  are  the  best  ways  of  curing  a  horse  that  has  goi 
lamed  in  the  sti^e. 


48  THE    COMPLETE    FARRIER. 

LAMENESS    IN   THE   CUP-BONE   OR   WHIRLEBONE. 

A  lameness  in  this  part  of  the  hip  is  discovered  by  the  horse's  drag- 
ging  his  leg  after  him,  and  dropping  backwards  on  his  heel  when  he 
trots.  If  the  muscles  of  the  hips  only  are  injured,  the  lameness  may 
be  soon  cured  ;  but  if  the  ligaments  of  the  cup  are  affected,  or  relaxed, 
the  cure  is  often  very  tedious;  and  wlien  the  cup  is  full  of  glueish 
liquor,  the  cure  is  doubtful.  I  have  known  the  ligament  which  holds 
the  hip  bone  in  the  cup  to  be  broken,  and  then  the  hip  bone  lias  come 
loose  ;  but  this  seldom  happens,  and  when  it  does  nothing  can  be  done 
to  relieve  it.  When  a  horse  is  lame  in  the  cup-bone,  rub  him  well 
with  the  following  mixture. 

1  oz.  of  Oil  of  Amber. 

1  do.  Oil  of  Bricks. 

I  do.  Oil  of  Origanum. 
1  do.  Oil  of  Turpentine. 

Shake  these  well  up,  rub  one  half  on  the  cup,  and  the  other  half  the 
third  day.  I  have  known  this  mixture  remove  the  complaint  when  of 
long  standing;  but  if  it  fail,  you  must  try  what  blistering  will  do. 
The  last  thing  to  be  tried  is  firing.  I  have  fired  horses  that  have  been, 
lame  above  a  year,  and  cured  them  by  it. 

It  is  very  easy  to  fire  a  horse  in  this  part.  Take  the  iron  and  mako 
a  circle,  eight  inches  in  diameter,  like  a  cart-wheel,  with  scores  about 
an  inch  asunder.  Cut  nearly  through  the  skin;  and  if  you  do  cu\ 
through  in  some  places,  it  will  be  no  worse.  Then  lay  on  the  following 
charge. 

2  oz.  of  Oxycroseuni. 

2  do.     Paracellis. 

2    do.    Red  Dominion. 
2    do.    Burgundy  Pitch. 

Melt  these  all  together,  lay  them  on  pretty  hot,  lay  a  little  wool, 
clipped  short,  on  before  it  cools,  and  then  throw  a  little  water  on  tc 
fasten  all  together. 

Sprains  in  the  Fetlock,  or  anywhere  in  the  limbs,  may  be  treated 
in  the  same  manner,  and  if  the  oils  will  not  remove  the  substances, 
blisters  will  ;  therefore  I  shall  give  you  a  recipe  for  a  blister  suitable 
for  those  complaints.     Take 

1  oz.  of  Quicksilver. 

\  do.     Venice  Turpentine. 

2  do.     Flanders  Oil  of  Bays, 
j  do.    Guui  Euphorbiuni. 

1  do.     Spanish  Flies. 

2  drama  of  Oil  of  Origanum. 

Rub  the  Venice  turpentine  and  quicksilver  well  in  a  mortar  for 
some  time,  and  then  put  in  the  oil  of  bays  and  rub  for  some  time 
longer,  till  the  quicksilver  is  quite  killed.  Powder  the  gum  and  flies 
well,  and  then  mix  all  togetlier.  When  you  lay  the  blister  on,  rub  it 
well  against  the  hair  to  get  it  to  the  bottom  ;  lay  it  on  with  a  broad- 
pointed  knife,  and  cover  it  with  a  cloth,  or  the  horse  will  get  his  mouth 
to  it. 

This  blister  will  answer  any  purpose  you  want  a  blister  for,  but  you 
must  observe  that  there  must  be  -fifteen  days  between  the  times  of  lay- 
ing it  oa. 


THE    COMPLETE     FATRIER.  49 


THE    BONE-SPAVIN. 


Although  this  is  a  common  disorder  among  horses,  yet  it  is  little 
understood  by  either  breeders  or  farriers.  The  Bone-Spavin  is  a 
bony  excrescence,  or  hard  swelling  on  the  inside  of  the  hock  in  a 
horse's  leg,  and  sometimes  owes  its  origin  to  kicks  and  blows,  and 
sometimes  to  natural  causes  ;  but  in  the  former  case  it  is  much  more 
easily  cured  than  in  the  latter ;  and  those  that  grow  spontaneously  on 
colts,  or  young  horses,  are  not  so  bad  as  those  that  appear  in  horses, 
that  have  arrived  at  their  full  strength  and  maturity.  In  old  horses 
they  are  generally  incurable. 

Our  horse-dealers  and  jobbers  make  a  second  kind  of  Bone-Spavin, 
which  they  call  a  Jack,  but  this  is  only  a  polished  name  for  a  Bone- 
Spavin,  as  there  is  no  difference  between  the  two.  Some  call  it  a 
Dry  Knot,  but  still  it  is  a  Bone-Spavin. 

Sometimes  the  horse  is  very  lame  when  the  Spavin  is  first  coming 
out,  and  when  it  has  come  out  is  better  for  some  time,  and  then  grows 
lamer  again  as  the  bone  hardens.  I  would  advise  you  to  apply  a 
blister  as  soon  as  you  have  any  suspicion  that  a  horse  is  likely  to  put 
out  a  Spavin,  and  to  continue  blistering,  every  fortnight,  for  some 
time,  by  which  means  you  may  stop  a  Spavin  in  a  young  horse. 

CtrRE.  Mild  medicines  should  be  used  if  the  horse  is  young,  as  they 
will  in  a  short  time  wear  the  tumor  down  by  degrees,  which  is  much 
better  than  trying  to  remove  it  at  once  by  severer  methods,  which 
often  have  a  very  bad  effect,  and  produce  worse  consequences  than 
those  they  were  intended  to  remove.  But  in  full-grown  horses  they 
are  absolutely  necessary,  and  accordingly  various  authors  have  given 
prescriptions  for  compounding  medicines  to  answer  the  intention  ;  but 
I  will  not  enumerate  them  here,  as  the  blistering  ointment  given  in 
the  last  chapter  will  be  found  to  answer  better  for  young  horses  thaa 
anything  yet  found  out ;  and  for  an  old  horse,  or  one  that  has  come  to 
his  full  strength,  you  may  add  a  dram  of  sublimate,  finely  powdered,  to 
two  ounces  of  the  blistering  ointment,  and  stir  it  well  up. 

Before  these  are  applied,  the  hair  mnst  be  cut  off  very  close,  and 
then  the  ointment  laid  very  thick  on  the  affected  part.  It  is  proper  to 
make  the  application  in  the  morning,  and  to  keep  the  horse  tied  up  to 
the  rack  all  day  without  any  litter;  but  at  night  he  must  be  littered 
in  order  that  he  may  lie  down ;  and  to  prevent  the  blister  from  coming 
off,  put  a  white  pitch  plaster  over  it,  and  tie  it  on  with  broad  tape. 

When  the  blister  has  done  running,  and  the  scabs  begin  to  dry  and 
peel  off,  it  should  be  applied  a  second  time  in  the  same  manner  as  be- 
fore, and  the  second  will  have  a  much  greater  effect  than  the  first. 

When  the  Spavin  has  continued  long,  the  blister  will  have  to  he 
often  renewed,  perhaps  five  or  six  times  ;  but  it  is  necessary  to  observe 
that  after  the  second  time  you  must  not  be  less  than  three  weeks  be- 
fore you  lay  on  the  third,  or  you  will  destroy  the  roots  of  the  hair  anH 
leave  the  place  bald.  By  these  means  Bone-Spavins  may  often  be 
cured ;  but  when  they  fail,  recourse  must  be  had  to  firing. 

Before  you  fire  a  horse  for  the  Bone-Spavin,  be  careful  to  take  the 
vein  out  of  the  way,  for  it  generally  lies  over  the  Spavin,  and  vou 

4 


50  TUF,    COMPLETE    FARRIER 

cannot  fire  deep  enough  to  come  at  the  callous  substance  without  its 
removal.  In  order  to  destroy  tiie  vein,  cut  a  nick  through  the  skin 
upon  it,  just  below  the  Spavin,  and  another  just  above  it,  and  put  a 
crooked  needle  under  the  vein,  and  tie  both  ends :  then  cut  the  vein 
across  between  the  tyings,  both  above  and  below,  and  you  may  either 
draw  the  piece  of  tlie  vein  out  or  leave  it  in. 

Let  the  iron  you  tire  with  be  pretty  sharp ;  cut  four  or  five  nicks 
upon  the  bone,  and  let  the  iron  take  hold  of  the  superfluous  bone,  in 
order  that  it  may  waste  away  by  mattering;  and  when  you  have 
done,  lay  on  some  white  pitch,  pretty  hot,  and  put  a  cloth  round  it  to 
keep  it  on.  In  three  days  open  the  place,  and  dress  it  with  yellow 
basilicon. 

Some  people  put  lunar  caustic,  or  sublimate,  into  the  places ;  but 
it  is  a  dangerous  practice,  and  often  lames  the  horse  for  ever.  I  wish 
those  who  have  got  a  horse  that  has  a  Bone-Spavin  to  make  a  full 
trial  of  the  directions  here  given,  and  I  trust  they  will  find  them  to 
answer  the  purpose  as  well  as  any  hitherto  found  out. 

THE   BLOOD-SPAVIN,  OR   BOG-SPAVIN. 

Many  farriers  and  horse-dealers  divide  this  disease  into  two  heads, 
and  give  them  different  names ;  but  to  my  certain  knowledge  they 
are  both  one,  for  I  have  proved  it  many  ways.  A  Blood-spavin  does 
not  come  by  breeding  from  spavined  mares,  nor  by  being  got  by  spa- 
vined horses,  as  the  Bone-spavin  does ;  but  you  may  safely  breed  out 
of  a  Blood-spavined  mare,  or  have  foals  got  by  a  Blood-spavined 
horse. 

In  my  opinion  Blood-spavins  are  generally  brought  on  either  by 
Sprains,  or  hard  labor  when  the  horse  is  young,  and  sometimes  when 
he  is  full-grown. 

The  Blood-spavin,  or  Bog-spavin,  is  a  dilation  of  the  vein  that  runs 
along  the  inside  of  the  hock,  and  forms  a  small  soft  swelling  in  the 
hollow  part,  which  in  time  renders  the  creature  lame,  but  seldom  till 
the  gelatinous  matter  becomes  ropy,  like  melted  glue  in  a  bag,  and  is 
situate  on  the  inside  of  the  hough.  Sometimes  it  goes  through  to  the 
back  part  of  the  joint,  and  then  it  is  called  a  thorough-pin. 

Cure.  Soon  as  you  discover  ihe  vein  puffed  up,  or  forming  a  bag, 
lay  on  some  blistering  ointment,  and  in  four  days  after  bathe  the 
swelling  well  with  hot  vinegar,  with  a  little  saltpetre  dissolved  in  it. 
Also  put  a  bandage  round  it  to  disperse  the  swelling  as  much  as  you 
can.  If  this  method  do  not  succeed,  you  must  make  two  incisions  in 
the  skin  lengthwise,  as  the  vein  runs,  one  just  above,  and  the  other 
just  below  the  joint,  and  lay  the  vein  bare :  then  put  the  end  of  a 
buck's  horn  under  it,  raise  it  up,  and  fasten  it  in  both  places  with 
waxed  thread :  then  cut  the  vein  in  two  at  both  places,  within  the  ty- 
ings, and  if  you  think  proper,  draw  the  vein  out.  This  method  of 
proceeding  will  cure  most  Bog-spavins  at  the  beginning.  Spring,  or 
the  back  end  of  the  year,  is  the  most  proper  time  for  this  operation, 
but  the  latter  is  preferable,  as  you  can  then  let  the  horse  run  out 
most  of  Winter,  which  will  be  of  great  service  to  him. 


THE    COMPLETE    FARRIER.  5l 

If  the  above  method  fail  of  a  cure,  you  may  make  an  incision  into 
(he  bag  witli  a  knife,  and  let  out  tlie  gelatenous  matter,  and  then  dress 
the  wound  with  a  digestive  ointment  till  the  bag  be  destroyed.  Bui 
this  is  a  dangerous  method;  and  although  it  may  answer  in  some 
cases,  it  will  not  in  others.  Should  the  joint  run  a  joint-lee,  the  cure 
IS  not  to  be  depended  on.  In  old  horses  nothing  can  be  done  that  will 
be  of  service. 

A    CORB. 

This  is  a  soft  swelling  that  rises  out  of  the  joint  on  the  back  part 
of  the  hind-leg,  just  below  the  hock,  and  mostly  lames  the  horse*  be- 
sides being  unpleasant  to  the  eye.  To  cure  it,  strike  a  few  holes 
into  it  with  a  pricker,  made  so  as  just  to  go  through  the  skin,  then 
rub  well  with  oil  of  origanum,  and  blister  as  often  as  needful. 

A   RING-BONE. 

This  is  so  well  known  that  I  need  not  describe  it,  but  only  point 
out  the  remedy  ;  yet  I  must  observe  that  a  Sprain  in  the  Coffin  is 
sometimes  taken  for  a  Ring-bone  when  it  causes  a  rim  to  rise  just 
above  the  foot.  Ring-bones  come  out  from  the  pastern,  between  the 
fetlock  and  the  foot ;  but  if  the  pastern  is  long,  they  are  nearer  the 
foot. 

They  will  generally  yield  to  the  same  method  of  cure  as  a  Corb, 
especially  if  just  coming  out,  but  if  not,  recourse  must  be  had  to  firing. 

Splents,  Osselets,  or  any  other  bony  or  fleshy  substances  on  the 
legs  may  be  cured  in  the  same  manner.  A  Splent  on  the  shank-bone 
is  only  a  grievance  to  the  eye,  and  will  go  away  of  itself  when  the 
horse  comes  to  age  ;  but  the  sooner  those  that  are  near  the  knees 
or  the  tendons  are  removed  the  better. 

MALLENDERS  AND  SALLENDERS. 

The  first  is  on  the  fore-leg,  at  the  bend  of  the  knee,  and  the  last  on 
the  hind-leg,  at  the  bend  of  the  hough.  They  crack  and  throw  out  a 
thin  brown  matter,  and  sometimes  a  hard  scurf,  or  scab,  which  pre- 
vents the  horse  from  bending  the  limbs  which  are  affected  as  he 
should  do. 

Cure.  They  both  proceed  from  the  same  cause,  and  consequently 
require  the  same  treatment ;  which  consists  in  washing  the  parts  with 
old  chamber-lie,  or  a  warm  lather  of  soap-suds,  and  afterwards  ap- 
plying  strong  mercurial  ointment,  spread  on  tow,  to  the  cracks,  once 
a  day  till  the  scabs  fall  off,  when  the  cure  will  be  completed  ;  and 
then  it  will  be  necessary  to  give  him  a  dose  or  two  of  physic.  If  the 
disorder  will  not  yield  to  the  mercurial  ointment,  make  a  strong  mix-^ 
ture  of  vitriol  water,  and  wash  the  cracks  with  it,  and  it  will  dry 
them  up,  and  cause  the  scabs  to  fall  off. 

THE   STRANGLES. 

Most  horses  have  this  disorder  while  young,  but  at  seven  years 
oli  they  are  out  of  danger.     There  are  two  kinds  of  this  disorder. 


52  THE    COMPLETE    FARRIER. 

The  common  kind  is  a  swelling  under  or  between  the  jawoones. 
The  other,  which  is  called  the  bastard  kind,  is  much  the  worst. 
Sometimes  swellings  appear  on  the  buttocks,  break,  and  discharge 
matter  for  a  few  days,  and  then  dry  up,  after  which  others  appear  in 
a  fresh  place  in  the  same  manner.  I  have  known  horses  that  have 
had  this  complaint  eight  or  ten  weeks. 

The  common  kind  begins  with  a  swelling  between  the  jaw-bones, 
which  sometimes  extends  to  the  muscles  of  the  tongue,  and  is  often 
attended  with  so  much  heat,  pain  and  inflammation,  that  before  the 
matter  is  formed  the  creature  swallows  with  the  utmost  difficulty. 

SyMPTOivis.  The  Strangles  is  attended  with  great  heat  and  fever,  a 
painful  cough,  and  great  inclination  to  drink,  without  being  able. 
Some  horses  lose  their  appetites  entirely,  and  others  eat  but  very 
little,  occasioned  by  the  pain  resulting  from  the  motion  of  the  jaws  in 
chewing  and  swallowing.  When  the  horse  runs  much  at  the  nose,  it 
is  not  a  good  sign. 

Although  this  disease  is  very  troublesome,  it  is  not  dangerous, 
except  when  the  swelling  turns  upwards  against  the  windpipe  and 
gullet,  and  then  there  is  danger  of  suffocation  if  it  do  not  break  soon. 

Cure.  The  Strangles  is  not  properly  a  disease,  but  a  discharge 
common  to  young  horses,  and  therefore  it  follows  that  the  discharge 
must  be  promoted  in  order  to  throw  off  the  offensive  matter.  The 
best  method  of  doing  this  is  to  keep  the  swelling  always  soft  by  soak- 
ing it  with  softening  ointment,  such  as  marshmallows,  or  elder  oint- 
ment. I  have  known  oil  of  swallows,  with  a  little  spirits  of  hartshorn 
in  it,  be  very  useful  in  bringing  the  swelling  forward  and  causing  it 
to  break.  A  cloth  in  the  form  of  a  cap,  put  on  the  horse's  head,  and 
stuffed  with  wool  to  keep  the  swelling  warm,  will  be  of  great  service. 
Some  people  apply  a  poultice,  but  there  is  no  need  of  this  if  the  above 
be  properly  used.  Give  plenty  of  warm  water,  with  a  little  meal  on 
it :  for  in  this  disorder  a  horse  cannot  swallow  dry  meat  enough  for 
its  support. 

Sometimes  the  Strangles  gather  four  or  five  times,  and  break  in 
many  places ;  and  you  must  observe  that  if  the  orifices  are  not  wide 
enough,  they  must  be  opened  with  the  point  of  a  knife,  and  by  this 
means  it  will  be  prevented  from  breaking  out  in  so  many  places. 
After  the  swelling  appears,  it  will  be  five  or  six  days  before  it  breaks 
and  discharges.  There  is  always  a  small  discharge  at  the  nostrils, 
but  it  is  little  or  no  grievance  to  the  horse. 

When  the  swelling  is  broken,  and  the  orifice  of  a  proper  size  to 
discharge  the  matter,  dress  with  the  following  ointment  spread  on  tow. 

Take  Yellow  Rosin  and  Burgundy  Pitch,  of  each  one  pound;  Honey  and  Common 
Turpentine,  of  each  half  a  pound;  Bees'  Wax,  four  ounces;  Hogs'  Lard,  one  pound 
and  a  half;  and  of  Verdigrise,  finely  powdered,  one  ounce.  Melt  the  ingredients  to- 
gether, but  do  not  put  the  Verdigrise  in  till  nearly  cold,  and  keep  stirring  all  tlie  time 
till  cold,  or  the  Verdigrise  will  fall  to  the  bottom. 

This  is  one  of  the  best  salves  for  wounds  that  has  been  found  out, 
and  especially  for  old  ones. 

The  Bastard  Strangles  requires  the  same  kind  of  treatment,  but  it 
is  proper  to  give  the  horse  a  dose  or  two  of  calomel  physic  also. 


THE    COMPLETE    FARRIER.  5Z 

THE   GLANDERS 

This  disease  has  baffled  all  who  have  tried  to  cure  it,  and  pf^bably 
will  do  so  to  the  end  of  time ;  so  I  advise  those  who  may  have  a 
glandered  horse,  to  put  him  oti'  as  soon  as  they  shall  be  certain  that 
he  is  so.  People  often  mistake  other  disorders  for  the  Glanders.  A 
violent  cold  sometimes  causes  a  running  at  the  nostrils,  and  kernels 
under  the  jaws,  when  the  horse  is  free  from  the  Glanders.  Some- 
times a  running  at  the  nostrils  is  caused  by  laying  too  much  weight 
on  a  horse.  I  once  bought  one  at  Boroughbridge  fair,  which  I  soon 
after  sold,  and  eleven  weeks  after  that  had  him  returned  as  a  glan- 
dered horse ;  but  I  kept  him  for  some  time  afterwards,  and  he  neiihei' 
/nfected  others  nor  lost  his  flesh.  This  horse  was  bought  from  a 
miller,  who  had  overloaded  him,  which  caused  him  to  bleed  at  the 
I  lose ;  afterwards  he  began  to  run  at  the  nose,  and  did  so  during  the 
lime  that  I  had  him,  which  was  nearly  half  a  year.  I  do  not  pre- 
(end  to  cure  this  disorder. 

SyjiPT0.'\is.  The  matter  discharged  from  the  nostrils  of  a  glandered 
liorse  is  either  white,  yellow,  greenish,  or  streaked  or  tinged  with 
Mood.  When  the  disease  has  been  of  long  standing,  and  the  bones 
lire  fouled,  the  matter  turns  blackish,  and  becomes  very  bad. 

The  glanders  is  always  attended  with  a  swelling  of  Me  kernels,  or 
jflands  under  the  jaws,  but  in  every  other  respect  the  horse  is  gener- 
fdly  healthy  and  sound,  till  the  disorder  has  continued  some  time,  and 
Ihe  morbid  matter  has  affected  other  parts. 

If  a  thin  limpid  fluid  be  first  discharged,  and  afterwards  a  whitish 
laatter;  if  the  gland  under  the  jaw  do  not  continue  to  swell,  and  the 
*''isorder  shall  have  been  recently  contracted,  a  speedy  cure  may  be 
effected  by  applying  the  following. 

1  oz.  of  Roach  Alum. 
1  do.     White  Vitriol. 

Powder  these  well,  put  them  into  a  pint  of  warm  vinegar,  and  s^ 
ringe  about  an  ounce  up  his  nostrils  every  day.  This  may  do  good 
if  the  disorder  be  newly  caught. 

SWELLINGS   AND    IMPOSTHUMES. 

It  is  diflicult  to  treat  on  Swellings,  as  so  many  external  or  internal 
accidents  happen  to  horses  ;  the  former  by  blows  or  bruises,  and  the 
latter  by  disorders. 

When  a  swelling  is  in  its  first  stage,  bathe  it  well  with  verjuice,  or 
vinegar,  with  a  little  saltpetre  dissolved  in  it;  and  if  the  swelling  still 
continue,  mix — 

1  oz.  of  Extract  of  Lead.  1  oz.  of  Spirits  of  Sal  AniLaoniiic. 

1    do.   Spirits  of  Wine.  3   do.   Vinegar. 

Rub  the  swelling  well  with  it;  but  if  it  be  very  hot.  add  four  ounces 
of  water  instead  of  the  vinegar.  Should  the  swelling  come  forward 
and  form  matter,  which  you  may  feel  by  the  pressure  of  your  finger, 
let  the  matter  out,  but  be  sure  to  make  the  incisi9n  large  enough  that 
you  may  dress  it  with  ease.    When  -you  have  laid  the  part  open,  dress 


64  THE    COMPLETE    FARRIER. 

it  Mith  the  green  salve  before  recommended,  on  tow,  for  you  cannot 
i.ave  a  more  proper  salve.  The  next  time  you  dresa  it,  thai  is  tho 
day  after,  make  a  wash  of  the  following : — 

2  oz.  of  Spirits  of  Wine.  1  oz.  of  Roacli  Alum. 

2  do.  Spirits  of  Rosemary.  2  do.   Water. 

Mix  these  all  together,  and  they  will  answer  the  purpose  extremel) 
well.  When  you  have  washed  the  wound  with  the  above  mixture, 
lay  on  a  little  green  salve,  on  tow,  and  bind  it  on  if  you  can,  but  if 
you  cannot,  lay  on  a  plaster  to  keep  it  on. 

Some  swellings,  such  as  have  been  caused  by  bad  barfens  on  the 
shoulders,  or  blows  on  the  legs,  will  not  submit  to  weak  mixtures,  nor 
come  to  matter  in  a  reasonable  time.  Mix  the  following,  and  it  will 
either  take  them  off  or  bring  them  to  matter. 

2  oz.  of  Oil  of  Spike,     mmmm     J  oz.  of  Oil  of  Origanum. 
1  do.  Oil  of  Amber,    mramna     1   do.  Oil  of  Turpentine. 

Mix  these  well  together,  and  rub  the  swelling  well  with  them  every 

other  day.     I  have  known  this  remove  obstinate  swellings. 

WOUNDS, 

Wounds  are  caused  by  accidents  of  various  kinds.  When  the  skia 
is  much  torn  from  the  flesh,  if  you  are  at  hand  while  the  wound  is 
quite  fresh,  take  a  square-pointed  needle  and  a  waxed  thread,  an  1 
sew  it  up.  Mind  to  put  the  needle  in  straight,  one  side  over  against 
the  other;  draw  the  skin  tight,  and  lie  a  knot;  cut  olf  the  thread,  and 
then  take  another  stitch  about  an  inch  off,  and  so  proceed.  When 
some  people  sew  up  a  wound  they  do  it  the  same  as  they  would  sew  it 
piece  of  cloth,  but  that  is  quite  wrong,  for  they  should  tie  a  knot  al 
every  stitch,  and  cut  the  thread  off. 

But  when  you  do  not  see  the  wound  till  the  place  is  growing  dead, 
and  the  skin  is  drawing  up,  then  take  off  the  loose  skin;  for  if  you 
keep  it  on  it  will  curl  up,  and  leave  a  blemish.  Always  keep  the  lips 
of  the  wound  down. 

When  a  wound  is  upon  or  near  a  joint,  there  is  danger  of  its  throw, 
ng  out  a  joint-lee,  of  which  there  are  three  kinds.  One,  and  mostly 
lie  lirst,  is  tliin  and  brown,  sometiiing  like  sweet  wort :  the  second  is 
rather  thicker  and  tougher,  something  like  melted  glue  ;  and  the  third, 
whicli  is  the  w^orst,  is  like  muddy  water  and  snort  mixed  together. 
Tliis  last  has  deceived  many  people;  for  when  the  wound  has  tlirown 
out  this  kind  of  lee,  with  little  white  slippery  pieces,  something  like 
matter,  it  has  often  been  taken  for  such.  When  you  find  any  of 
these  kinds  of  lee,  get  a  bottle  of  Riga  Balsam,  and  syringe  tho 
wound  every  day.  If  Riga  Balsam  cannot  be  got,  use  Tincture  of 
Benjamin.  I  have  known  fomentations  be  of  great  use,  especially  on 
the  stiffle  joint.  When  the  wound  is  of  a  dead  color,  and  the  lips 
rise,  and  the  dirty  lee  flows  profusely,  the  cure  is  to  be  despaired  of, 

If  proud  flesh  rise  when  a  wound  is  in  a  fair  way  for  healing,  take — 

1  oz.  of  Basillicon.  2  drams  of  Red  Precipitate. 

Mix  them  well  together,  and  lay  them  on  the  proud  flesh.  This 
ointment  is  also  very  proper  to  dress  a  wound  with  that  appears^dead 


THE    COMPLETE    FARRIER.  55 

and  does  not  discharge  a  proper  matter.  If  the  proud  flesh  do  not 
submit  to  the  above,  lay  on  a  little  blue  vitriol,  in  powder,  or  touch  it 
with  caustic  or  oil  of  vitriol ;  and  should  none  of  these  make  it  give 
way,  lay  on  a  little  corrosive  sublimate.  The  salves,  tinctures  and 
mixtures  already  laid  down  are  sufficient  to  cure  any  cui'able  wound. 

HURTS    IN  THE   FEET. 

Horses  are  oftener  hurt  in  the  Feet  than  any  where  else,  and  those 
hurts  are  often  received  from  the  blacksmith.  Every  blacksmitli 
should  be  a  farrier,  and  every  farrier  a  blacksmith,  for  these  busi- 
nesses  should  go  hand  in  hand.  What  is  a  man  fit  for  who  has  got 
the  theoretical  part  without  the  practical  ?  A  man  that  has  a  head 
and  no  tongue  will  do  but  little  mischief,  but  one  that  has  a  tongue  and 
no  head  may  do  much.  Few  of  the  fine  farriers  sent  from  the  hospitals 
have  done  any  good,  but  many  of  them  a  great  deal  of  hurt.  A  man 
without  education  who  has  a  gift,  is  better  than  a  man  who  has  edu- 
cation but  no  gift ;  and  a  man  of  sobriety  will  far  excel  one  without 
it.     A  fine  tongue  often  proves  a  snake  in  the  grass. 

Sometimes  a  horse  is  lamed  by  being  shod  into  the  quick.  The 
foot  should  always  be  carefully  examined  on  the  first  appearance  of 
lameness.  Sometimes  a  nail  with  a  flaw  in  it  will  cause  a  great 
grievance,  as  one  part  will  come  out  and  the  other  will  go  into  the 
foot.  Blacksmiths  should  never  use  such  nails  except  in  a  frost, 
when  they  can  put  them  into  the  old  holes.  Sometimes  they  leave 
stumps,  or  pieces  of  nails  in  the  feet ;  and  sometimes  when  they 
drive  a  nail  they  turn  the  point  into  the  foot,  and  then  draw  it  back 
and  put  in  another,  taking  no  further  thought  about  it,  and  when  the 
horse  becomes  lame  they  say  he  is  gravelled.  Few  blacksmiths  will 
stop  at  telling  a  lie  to  clear  themselves. 

When  a  horse  has  got  lamed  in  the  foot,  be  careful  to  cut  it  well 
out,  and  to  damage  the  hoof  as  little  as  possible,  and  dress  the  place 
with  oil  of  turpentine,  spirits  of  tar,  and  common  tar.  Lay  no  hot, 
drying  drugs  on,  unless  proud  flesh  rise. 

Sometimes  corns  in  the  heels  cause  a  horse  to  be  lame  ; — cut  them 
out,  and  dress  the  place  with  aquafortis.  There  is  another  fault  which 
blacksmiths  are  guilty  of,  and  which  is  a  great  hurt  to  a  horse,  that 
is,  cutting  or  paring  the  heel  down  too  much.  The  heel  being  best  to 
come  at,  they  clap  the  paring-knife  there  and  cut  them  down,  when 
there  is  no  need  to  take  any  off  them  at  all.  The  heels  are  the  o-reat- 
est  support  of  the  horse,  and  by  paring  them  too  thin,  both  conis  and 
lameness  in  the  back  sinews  are  produced. 

Before  a  blacksmith  begins  to  shoe  a  valuable  horse,  especially  a 
road-horse,  he  should  examine  how  he  stands  and  how  he  goes.  If 
he  go  low,  heavy  shoes  should  be  used;  but  if  he  high,  light^ones.  If 
ne  turn  his  toes  out,  he  will  cut  with  the  heel,  and  if  he  turn  them  in, 
will  cut  with  the  spurn.  If  he  have  a  thin,  flat  foot,  he  should  have 
broad  shoes  ;  but  if  a  hollow,  dished  foot,  narrow  ones.  If  the  crust 
DC  thin,  and  the  vein  near,  small  nails  should  be  used. 

Some  horses  are  hoof-bouid,  that  is,  have  strait  heels  which  piucii 


56  THE    COMPLETE    FARRIER. 

the  vein  between  the  hoof  and  the  coffin.  When  this  is  the  case,  thin 
the  soles  of  the  feet  till  the  blood  springs  through,  and  then  put  on 
screw-shoes,  and  screw  the  feet  out.  Let  the  tscrew-shoes  stay  on  a 
fortnight.     You  may  screw  the  feet  out  more  than  half  an  inch. 

The  next  thing  to  be  considered  is  gravel  rising  from  the  bottom  to 
the  top  of  the  foot,  and  breaking  out  at  the  cornet.  How  many  twit- 
ter-bones have  been  thus  formed  that  might  have  been  prevented! 
When  the  gravel  comes  up  to  the  top  of  the  foot,  take  away  the  sole 
at  the  bottom,  and  the  hoof  at  the  top,  and  mix  equal  parts  of  oil  of 
turpentine  and  oil  of  origanum,  and  bathe  the  top  part  of  the  foot. 
This  will  prevent  a  Twitter  from  forming. 

A  TWITTER-BONE. 

A  Twitter-bone  makes  a  horse  very  lame,  and  not  fit  for  work.  It 
keeps  throwing  a  tough  white  matter  out  of  what  is  called  a  pipe.  In 
order  to  cure  it,  first  find  out  to  where  the  pipe  leads.  This  you  may 
do  with  a  piece  of  round  lead,  the  size  of  a  small  quill-barrel,  {lave 
the  following  ready,  viz. 

Half  an  oz,  of  Sublimate,  in  fine  powder,  put  into  I  oz.  of  Spirits  of  Salt ,  and  as  soon  as 
the  Sjiirits  dissolve  the  Sublimate,  put  to  it  the  juice  of  a  middle-sized  lemon. 

iVIix  all  together,  and  syringe  a  squirt  full  into  the  pipe  when  you 
take  the  lead  out;  and  when  you  draw  out  the  point  of  the  syrmge, 
put  your  thumb  upon  the  place  to  prevent  it  coming  back  again,  and 
then  put  on  a  pledget  of  green  salve  and  tow.  Do  this  every  other 
day,  for  three  or  four  times,  and  by  this  method  most  Twitter^  may 
be  removed.  But,  if  this  method  fail,  the  next  thing  to  be  done  is  to 
put  a  hot  iron,  the  thicknes  of  a  small  finger,  where  the  pipe  leads  to, 
and  to  fill  the  hole  with  sublimate,  and  bind  on  it  a  pledget  of  greeu 
salve  with  a  cloth.  Let  it  be  five  days,  and  then  lay  on  some  more 
salve  and  tow,  and  in  five  days  more  the  twitter-bone  and  pipe  will 
come  out.  The  wound  must  be  washed  with  the  following  mixture, 
and  dressed  with  green  salve  and  tow  every  other  day,  till  nearly  well. 
1  oz.  of  Bole.        1  oz.  of  Oil  of  Origanum.        4  oz.  of  Oil  of  Turpentine. 

Shake  them  up  well  together,  and  they  will  both  help  to  heal  the 
wound  and  to  bring  down  the  substance.  If  any  more  twitter-bones  or 
pipes  form,  you  must  take  them  out  in  the  same  manner. 

A   FISTULA,  AND   BRUISES   OF  THE    WITHERS. 

This  disorder  has  formerly  balHed  many  people  who  were  expert  in 
surgery,  but  of  late  years  it  has  been  better  understood,  and  the  cure 
more  easily  performed.  The  Withers  are  very  subject  to  bruises, 
which  are  often  caused  by  bad  saddles,  or  such  as  are  too  wide  in  the 
front ;  but,  whatever  be  the  cause,  it  is  well  known  that  by  neglect 
they  often  terminate  in  a  Fistula. 

When  the  withers  are  bruised  and  a  swelling  appears,  lay  a  poultice 
of  bran  and  vinegar  over  the  part.  People  who  have  a  horse  which 
is  crushed  in  the  Withers,  and  pay  no  regard  to  it,  are  worse  than 
savages,  and  are  not  fit  to  have  such  an  useful  animal. 


THE    COMPLETE    FARRIER.  57 

Cure.  After  a  horse  has  been  bruised  in  the  Withers,  the  skin 
breaks  and  matter  is  discharged,  and  then  the  owner  supposes  that  the 
abcess  will  subside,  but  he  is  often  mistaken  ;  and  the  pipe  which  he 
perceives  throwing  out  matter,  is  at  the  same  time  running  forwards 
in  the  Withers,  and  forming  a  Fistula.  When  you  lind  the  disease 
proceeding  in  this  manner,  lay  the  pipe  open  with  a  sharp  penknife  all 
the  length ;  lor  if  you  leave  any  unopened,  it  will  form  a  Fistula. 
After  you  have  laid  the  place  open,  dress  it  with  the  following  mixture. 

4  oz.  of  Potashes.  2  oz.  of  White  Vitriol. 

4  do.  of  liouey.  1  pint  of  Vinegar. 

Boil  all  together,  wash  the  wound  well  with  the  mixture,  and  lay  on 
the  green  salve  and  tow.  If  the  above  be  not  dry  enough,  add  two 
ounces  more  of  white  vitriol,  and  two  ounces  of  bole.  These  will 
make  a  salve  by  themselves;  and  by  these  methods  you  may  cure  any 
disease  of  the  Withers  arising  from  external  injuries. 

But  tumors  often  arise  in  the  Withers  from  internal  causes,  such  as 
the  crisis  of  Fevers.  When  this  happens  you  must  not  attempt  to  stop 
if.,  nor  use  anything  to  put  it  back,  for  by  this  means  you  would  drive 
il  more  into  the  shoulder-blades,  and  make  it  worse  to  cure;  but,  on 
the  contrary,  do  everything  you  can  to  assist  nature  in  bringing  it  for- 
ward. You  cannot  do  better  than  lay  on  poultices  twice  a  day  till  it 
breaks,  for  reason  tell  us  that  it  is  better  to  do  so  than  to  cut  it;  but 
when  it  is  broken,  open  the  orifice  with  a  knife,  that  5'-ou  may  have 
more  freedom  in  dressing  it;  but  be  careful  in  using  the  knife,  that 
3*ou  do  not  catch  hold  of  the  ligament  which  turns  along  the  neck  to 
the  Withers.  Sometimes  it  runs  to  the  other  side  of  the  neck,  under 
the  Withers.  The  cure  is  the  same  as  before.  Lay  all  the  cavities 
open  with  the  knife,  and  do  not  cut  across  if  you  can  avoid  it.  Then 
lake  the  following  never  failing  mixture  to  dress  with. 

4  oz.  of  Crude  Sal  Aiiiiiiouiac.  2  oz.  Pearl-Aslics. 

2  do.  Bole.  2  do.  \Miite  Vitriol. 

8  do.  Honey.  1  pint  of  Vinegar. 

Boil  all  together,  and  apply  it  to  the  wound  every  day  at  first,  and 
afterwards  every  other  day  till  well. 

WARBLES,   GIRTH-GALLS,   AND   PLUSHES   FROM 
SADDLES. 

These  grievances  are  commonly  known,  and  every  one  has  a  cure 
for  them,  as  he  calls  it.  Some  lay  on  hot  spirits,  and  others  blue  stone 
vitriol,  and  many  other  things  ;  but  such  things  are  very  improper, 
for  they  always  leave  the  grieved  part  hard  and  sore  ;  but  the  follow, 
ing  mixture  will  effect  a  cure,  take  olF  the  soreness,  and  leave  the  skin 
kind.  I  may  affirm  that  it  is  one  of  the  best  recipes  yet  found  out  for 
the  purpose.     Take 

2  oz.  of  Extract  of  Lead.  2  oz.  Spirits  of  Wine. 

i  do.  White  Copperas.  4  do.  Soft  Water. 

lililUih        1  oz.  Spirits  of  Sal  Ammoniac. 

Mix  all  together  in  a  bottle,  keep  shaking  it  up,  and  rub  the  affected 
j.]aces  well  with  it,  and  put  your  saddles  and  barfens  on  while  tho 
places  are  wjt,  in  order  to  prevent  them  from  infecting  other  horses. 


88  THE    COMPLETE    FARRIER 

Sometimes  horses  have  what  are  called  Setfasts  on  their  ba<As. 
Rub  them  with  a  little  mercurial  ointment,  in  order  to  raise  them  and 
make  them  come  off;  and  if  you  cannot  pull  them  out  after  using  the 
ointment,  cut  them  out  with  a  sharp  knife,  and  apply  to  the  place  tlie 
above  mixture,  or  heal  it  up  as  a  common  wound. 

WINDGALLS. 

These  are  mostly  on  the  hind-legs,  near  the  fetlock,  but  I  have  know  a 
them  above  the  fetlock,  and  on  the  arm.  Windgalls  are  not  only  eye- 
sores, but  lame  many  a  horse.  Many  methods  are  tried  to  disperse 
them  without  effect.  If  you  put  your  finger  on  one  side  and  your 
thumb  on  the  other,  and  press  with  one  of  them,  you  will  find  the 
Windgall  to  go  quite  through  the  leg.  The  reason  that  they  are  mosit- 
ly  on  the  hind-legs  is,  because  the  horse  stands  lower  behind  than  be 
fore,  and  throws  most  weight  on  the  hind-legs. 

Cure.  On  the  first  appearance  of  a  Windgall,  bathe  the  place  well 
with  warm  vinegar  and  spirits  of  wine,  and  put  a  pretty  tight  bandage 
round  it.  If  this  do  not  remove  it,  lay  on  blistering  ointment  till  the 
cure  shall  be  completed.  But  should  this  method  also  fail,  which  it 
seldom  does,  you  must  lay  the  Windgall  open,  and  dress  it  as  a  com- 
mon  wound.  Before  you  use  the  knife,  be  careful  to  get  the  horse's 
body  into  a  proper  cool  state  by  physic. 

Some  people  fire  to  cure  Windgalls,  running  the  iron  on  the  skin, 
(what  is  called  scoring,)  but  thereby  do  little  good,  as  that  cannot 
destroy  the  bag  of  wind  and  matter.  It  may  draw  the  skin  a  little 
tighter,  so  that  the  Windgall  will  not  appear  so  large. 

THE    GREASE. 

This  disorder  is  mostly  brought  on  by  soft  corn,  hard  usage,  want 
of  proper  cleaning,  or  a  depraved  state  of  the  blood  and  juices;  there- 
fore it  is  proper  to  divide  it  into  two  heads. 

Cure,  when  the  Vessels  are  relaxed.  On  first  observing  the 
legs  of  a  horse  to  swell  after  standing  several  hours,  and  to  recover 
their  proper  dimensions  with  exercise,  be  careful  to  wash  them  clean 
with  chamber-lie,  soap-suds,  or  vinegar  and  water,  every  time  he 
comes  in,  for  this  will  prevent  or  remove  the  disorder.  Horses  that 
have  round  or  fleshy  legs  are  more  subject  to  the  grease  than  those 
that  have  flat  legs;  but  a  flat-legged  horse  is  more  easily  sprained. 
Nitre,  sulphur,  and  liver  of  antimony,  are  proper  both  to  prevent  the 
grease  and  to  refine  the  blood.  Mix  equal  parts  of  each,  and  give  a 
meat-spoonful  every  day  in  his  food. 

Cure  for  the  Grease  from  Internal  Causes.  If  the  horse  be 
full  of  flesh,  the  cure  must  be  begun  by  bleeding,  rowels,  and  repeat- 
ed purging;  after  which  two  ounces  of  the  following  balls  should  be 
given  every  ether  day  for  some  time,  and  they  will  work  by  urine  the 
day  following. 

4  oz.  of  Yellow  Rosin.  2  oz.  of  Salt  of  Tartar. 

2   do.  Salt  of  Prunel.  8  do.  Castile  Soup. 

1  do.   Oil  of  Juniper.  1  do.  Guinplior. 


THE    COMPLETE    FARRIER.  59 

Put  these  into  a  mortar  with  about  two  ounces  of  honey,  or  as  much 
AS  will  make  them  into  balls,  and  they  will  carry  off  the  offending  hu- 
mors, and  free  the  blood  from  its  noxious  qualities.  But,  at  the  same 
time  that  these  internal  remedies  are  taken,  outward  ones  should  not 
be  omitted.  The  legs  should  be  bathed  with  warm  verjuice,  and,  if 
very  bad,  a  poultice  of  boiled  turnips  applied.  If  turnips  cannot  be 
got,  make  a  poultice  of  linseed  meal  and  bran,  with  a  little  hog's  lard 
in  to  prevent  it  from  growing  hard. 

Sometimes  horses  are  neglected  when  in  the  Grease  till  they  have 
what  are  called  grape-legs.  These  may  be  cured  on  their  first  ap- 
pearance, when  they  are  in  the  bud,  by  laying  on  caustic,  or  cor- 
rosive sublimate.  When  the  swelling  is  abated,  make  the  following 
into  a  salve  to  dress  the  sores  with. 

4  oz.  of  Honey.  2  oz.  of  White  Lead,  in  powder. 

1   oz.  Blue  Stone  V^itriol,  iu  powder. 

Mix  these  well  together,  and  lay  them  on  the  sores  with  tow  to  heal 
them ;  but,  should  they  continue  foul,  and  not  frame  to  heal,  mix  four 
ounces  of  green  salve,  and  four  ounces  of  ^gyptiacum  ointment  well 
together,  and  lay  it  on  in  the  above  manner.  This  mixture  will  both 
heal  and  dry  up  the  sores. 

SCRATCHES. 

This  disease  is  a  forerunner  of  the  Grease,  and  is  a  hot  oozing 
matter  that  breaks  out  like  kins,  with  a  nauseous  smell.  It  is  very 
troublesome  to  a  horse,  causing  his  heels  to  look  red  and  angry,  and 
to  be  very  sore ;  and  sometimes  it  is  so  violent  as  to  render  a  horse 
lame,  and  unfit  for  use. 

If  you  do  not  bleed  and  physic  as  soon  as  you  find  a  heat  in  a 
horse's  heels,  you  may  soon  have  him  laid  up  in  the  Grease.  Some- 
times in  slight  touches  of  this  complaint  the  heels  are  not  hotter  than 
usual.  In  that  case,  take  a  little  flour  of  sulphur  and  spirits  of  wine, 
mix  them  together  into  an  ointment,  and  fill  the  cracks  well  with  it. 
When  the  disorder  is  too  hot  to  be  healed  by  this  ointment,  rub  with 
a  little  iEgyptiacum  ointment,  but  be  careful  not  to  lay  too  much  on, 
for  it  is  a  great  drier. 

Rat-tails  at  first  resemble  the  Grease,  and  are  attended  with  a  hot 
scorbutic  humor  at  the  beginning,  and  often  by  neglect  destroy  the 
roots  of  the  hair,  and  then  there  is  no  complete  cure  for  them,  but 
they  may  be  relieved  by  rubbing  with  equal  parts  of  strong  mercurial 
ointment  and  Flanders  oil  of  bays. 

If  a  horse  have  got  the  Scurvy,  or  Scabs  on  his  legs,  this  ointment 
will  mostly  take  them  off;  but  if  not,  mix  well  with  hog's  lard,  one 
dram  of  sublimate,  in  fine  powder.  These  two  last  mixtures  will  cure 
itiost  Scabs,  and  mixed  togetiier  they  will  cure  the  Itch. 

THE   CROWN   SCAB. 

This  disorder  is  similar  to  the  last.  It  breaks  out  on  the  cornet  of 
the  foot,  and  is  at  first  a  hot  running  tumor,  and  afterwards  a  dry, 


60  THE    COMPLETE    FARRIER. 

scurfy  scab.    Let  the  horse  be  bled  and  physicked,  and  then  rub  him 
with  eitlier  of  the  above  ointments,  and  the  cure  will  be  effected. 


DIRECTIONS  FOR  MANAGING  A  HORSE  ON  A  JOURNEY. 

In  the  first  place,  find  out  whether  the  horse  is  in  health,  and  has 
been  properly  fed  and  exercised ;  for  when  a  horse  is  flushed  up,  and 
has  had  no  exercise,  he  is  very  unfit  for  a  journey.  Before  you  set 
out  be  careful  to  observe  if  hl.s  shoes  are  fast,  and  if  they  sit  easy ; 
also  whether  he  cuts  before  or  behind,  or  interferes,  as  it  is  called. 
If  a  horse  cut  with  bad  shoes,  he  will  probably  do  it  with  new  ones, 
notwithstand  ng  what  horse-dealers  may  say  to  the  contrary. 

If  your  horse's  back  inflame  by  the  rubbing  of  the  saddle,  wash  the 
part  as  soon  as  you  perceive  it,  with  salt  and  water,  or  vinegar  and 
water,  and  have  the  stuffing  of  the  saddle  altered  so  as  to  remove  the 
pressure  from  the  part  affected  :  but  if  the  skin  be  broken  before  you 
perceive  it,  the  injured  part  should  be  washed  with  a  mixture,  com- 
posed of  equal  parts  of  extract  of  lead,  spirits  of  wine,  and  water.  You 
must  look  well  after  his  back,  and  walk  sometimes,  in  order  to  ease 
him,  especially  when  going  down  a  hill. 

It  often  happens,  especially  to  young  horses,  that  the  legs  swell,  or 
become  gourdy,  as  farriers  call  it,  with  travelling  ,  and  more  frequent- 
ly when  a  horse  cuts.  It  is  also  observed  that  the  hind-legs  swell 
oftener  than  the  fore-legs,  because  the  fore-parts  stand  highest  in  the 
stall,  and  consequently  the  greatest  stress  lies  on  the  hind-legs.  The 
best  method  of  prevention  is  to  wash  the  legs  with  warm  water  every 
time  you  bait,  by  which  means  the  disease  will  be  prevented,  and 
much  time,  trouble  and  expense  saved.  Soft  warm  water  that  will 
bear  soap,  is  as  good  for  the  purpose  as  it  can  be  made  by  any  ad- 
dition, and  washing  the  legs  with  it,  when  made  pretty  warm,  will 
seethe  out  the  sand  and  the  dirt,  open  the  pores,  give  circulation  to  the 
blood,  much  defend  the  juices  in  these  depending  parts,  and  prevent 
other  disorders.  You  should  also  see  that  your  horse  has  ft  wide  stand, 
good  dressing,  and  proper  bedding,  as  these  things  will  be  of  the  great- 
est use  in  preventing  the  limbs  from  swelling. 

Few  grooms  dress  a  horse  properly,  but  it  should  be  remeiiibered 
that  he  who  intends  his  horse  to  perform  his  duty  well,  must  tak'^  care 
that  he  is  well  cleaned ;  and  as  nothing  is  more  conducive  to  health 
than  friction,  his  skin  should  be  rubbed  till  the  whole  is  of  a  flowing 
heat,  and  then  with  proper  feeding  he  will  answer  his  master'«i  ex- 
pectations. 

Nothing  is  of  more  consequence  in  travelling  than  to  take  care  that 
your  horse  has  water  at  proper  times  and  in  proper  quantities.  When 
a  horse  travels  he  perspires  considerably,  especially  in  hot  wea»ber, 
and  should  therefore  be  allowed  to  drink  a  little  more  than  usual,  as 
opportunity  offers,  which  will  refresh  him  greatly;  but  never  suiTer 
liim  to  drink  much  at  a  time,  for  if  you  suffer  him  to  drink  his  fill  he 
will  be  dull  and  sluggish  afterwards,  besides  the  harm  he  may  receive 
from  drinking  too  much  cold  water  when  he  is  hot.    When  you  corn* 


THE    COMPLETE    FARRIER.  61 

near  the  place  you  intend  to  bait  at,  either  at  noon  or  night,  that  is, 
within  a  mile,  or  a  mile  and  a  half  of  it,  you  may  suffer  him  to  drink 
more  freely,  going  at  a  moderate  trot  afterwards,'  by  which  means  the 
water  will  be  warmed  in  his  belly,  and  he  will  go  in  cool.  Observe, 
however,  that  if  there  is  no  water  on  the  road,  you  should  never  suffer 
your  horse  to  be  lea  to  water,  or  to  have  his  lieels  washed,  after  you 
have  arrived  at  your  inn,  but  let  him  have  luke-warm  water  when  he 
has  stood  some  time  in  the  stable.  Much  mischief  has  been  done  by 
imprudent  riders,  who  after  travelling  hard,  have  suffered  their  horses 
to  drink  as  much  as  they  would  just  at  going  into  the  town,  or  inn 
where  they  intended  to  lie. 

It  is  a  general  rule  that  when  any  extraneous  bod)'-,  or  foreign  mat- 
ter, such  as  sand  or  gravel,  is  lodged  in  any  part  of  the  animal^s  body, 
it  must  be  extracted  as  soon  and  as  easily  as  possible.  When  gravel- 
ly  matter  has  got  into  the  quick  at  a  nail-hole,  or  any  other  aperture, 
it  ought  to  be  removed  as  soon  as  possible,  but  with  as  little  loss  of 
substance  as  the  nature  of  the  case  will  admit  of,  for  it  is  a  folly  to 
cut  and  pair  away  the  hoof  as  some  ignorant  farriers  do ;  because  by 
that  means  they  increase  the  evil  instead  of  removing  it,  as  it  is  a 
considerable  time  before  the  breach  is  prepared,  and  till  that  is  done 
the  same  part  is  likely  to  admit  more  gravel.  So  much,  therefore, 
and  no  more,  of  the  hoof  should  be  taken  away  as  is  absolutely 
necessary,  viz.  till  the  blackness  or  discoloration  vanishes ;  then  the 
wound  should  be  dressed,  with  the  following  balsam. 

I  oz.  of  Gum  Benjamin.  3  drams  of  Storax. 

i  do.  Balsam  of  Peru.  3    do.    Socotriue  Aloes. 

6  drams  ofMvirli.  3    do.     Frankmcen3e. 

3  drams  Gum  Guaiacum. 

Powder  the  ingredients  that  will  powder,  and  put  them  in  a  bottle 
with  one  quart  of  spirits  of  wine,  and  let  them  stand  warm  for  eight 
or  ten  days,  shaking  the  bottle  up  every  day.  This  is  an  excellent 
balsam  for  green  wounds,  and  no  person  that  keeps  valuable  horses 
should  be  without  it.  Apply  it  warm  to  the  wound,  dipping  a  piece 
of  tow  or  lint  into  it,  and  fastening  it  on  to  the  part  out  of  which  the 
gravel  or  thorn  has  been  taken,  and  renew  it  as  it  grows  dry. 

Sprains  and  twistings  of  the  joints  sometimes  happen  on  a  journey 
without  any  sensible  heat  or  swelling,  so  that  farriers  often  mistake 
where  the  aliment  lies.  The  place  must  therefore  be  carefully  soutJ-ht 
for,  and  if  you  cannot  find  it,  do  not  begin  to  doctor  where  there  is  no 
grievance.  It  may  be  a  slight  rheumatic  affection,  and  go  off  of  its 
own  accord.  In  a  sprain  of  the  back  sinews,  be  careful  not  to  lav  on 
anything  hot  or  blistering  while  on  your  journey,  if  you  can  avoid  it. 

A  horse  is  often  seized  with  the  Gripes  on  a'  journey,  the  best  and 
shortest  cure  for  which  is  the  followino-. 

9  drams  of  Tincture  of  Opium.        I  oz.  of  Spirits  of  Sweet  nitre. 
2  oz.  Olive  Oil. 

Mix  the  above  in  half  a  pint  of  mint-water,  give  it  to  the  horse,  and 
at  the  same  time  bed  him  well,  that  he  may  lie  down  to  rest,  and  be 
careful  not  to  give  him  cold  water  for  a  day  or  two  after. 

A  horse  that  is  subject  to  scouring,  or  purging,  upon  the  road,  ha« 


62  THE    COMPLETE    FARRIER. 

what  js  called  a  washy  constitution,  and  such  horses  Beldom  bear 
hardships  well,  because  the  aliment  passes  off  before  it  is  thoroughly 
digested,  which  is  a  sign  that  the  fibres  of  the  stomach  and  bowels  are 
lax;  therefore  such  horses  should  not  be  chosen.  The  best  method 
of  curing  this  disorder  is,  to  keep  the  horse  chiefly  on  hard  meat,  and 
to  gne  him  proper  exercise,  also  adding  a  little  of  the  following 
composition  to  each  of  his  feeds. 

.  Aleppo  Galls,  finely  powdered.  Japan  Earth,  in  powder. 

Irish  Slate,  in  powder. 

Mix  these  all  together,  and  put  them  into  a  bladder  for  use.  Sprin- 
kle a  little  water  on  the  horse's  oats,  rub  them  awhile,  and  then  sprin- 
kle about  half  a  spoonful  of  the  powder  upon  them,  and  if  he  have 
not  a  very  squeamish  stomach  he  will  eat  them  as  well  as  usual. 

But  remember  to  proportion  the  quantity  of  the  powder  to  the 
degree  of  the  disorder,  or  you  may  make  him  too  costive,  which  will 
be  as  bad  as  the  other  extreme  when  the  horse's  constitution  shall  re- 
quire his  being  laxative  rather  than  costive. 

When  a  horse  purges  upon  the  road,  occasioned  by  foul  feeding,  or 
catching  cold,  give  him  the  following. 

4  oz.  of  Venice  Treacle.        mAmtn    1  oz.  of  Japan  Earth. 

2    do.    Armenian  Bole.        uiminin    1    do.    Powdered  Ginger. 

Make  these  up  into  four  balls,  and  give  them  night  and  morning. 
When  a  horse  has  got  a  cough  by  catching  cold,  give 

4  oz.  of  Cordial  Balls.  1  oz.  of  Liquorice  Powder. 

1  oz.  of  Elecampane  Bark. 

Give  all  together  in  warm  ale,  fasting,  and  to  fasi  two  hours  after. 

I  shall  not  here  enlarge  on  the  other  diseases  and  accidents  to 
which  horses  are  continually  liable,  as  that  is  sufficiently  done  in  the 
foregoing  pages. 

Before  I  conclude  this  chapter,  I  will  give  you  the  horse's  address 
to  his  rider,  (from  Mr.  Bracken's  treatise,)  which  is  well  worth  obser- 
tion. 

Up  the  hill  spur  me  not ; 
Down  the  hill  ride  me  not; 
On  the  plain  spare  me  not; 
To  the  Ostler  trust  me  not. 

DIRECTIONS  FOR  RIDING. 

If  people  who  have  young  horses  would  take  a  little  pains  with 
them  at  a  year  old,  and  halter  them  and  make  them  tractable  in  hand, 
and  at  two  years  old  put  the  bridle  on,  endeavoring  to  get  them  a 
mouth,  and  to  make  them  submissive,  their  labor  would  not  be  lost. 
A  horse  should  not  be  ridden  till  he  is  three  years  old,  and  care  should 
be  taken  while  he  is  breaking  to  cut  his  mouth  as  little  as  possible 
with  the  mouthing-bridle  ;  for  when  the  mouth  is  much  cut,  it  grows 
hard  and  horny  afterwards,  which  hinders  the  animal  from  yielding 
to  the  pressure  of  the  reins.  When  a  horse  is  left  at  liberty  till  he  is 
four  years  old,  he  will  be  very  restive  and  stubborn. 

Most  inexperienced  riders  hold  the  bridle  tight  when  they  discover 


THE    COMPLETE    FAKAIER.  63 

he  horse  to  -be  frightened,  whereas,  on  the  contrary,  they  should  let 
tlie  reins  lie  loose  on  his  neck,  and  he  would  quietly  pass  the  object 
that  offends  his  eye.  Others  turn  the  horse  out  of  his  track,  and  en- 
deavor to  make  him  foce  the  object ;  but  this  method  seldom  has  a 
good  effect.  When  a  horse  starts  at  any  thing,  keep  him  in  the  road, 
and  hold  his  head  on  the  contrary  side  to  the  thing  he  starts  at,  press- 
ing your  legs  tight  against  his  sides,  by  which  means  he  may  be  led, 
for  a  horse  will  not  always  be  forced  up  to  what  has  frightened  him  : 
gentle  methods  generally  operate  better  than  severe  ones.  The  above 
method  may  perhaps  be  unnecessary  in  a  managed  horse,  but  even 
such  a  one  should  be  made  to  look  another  way  at  the  time  of  passing, 
unless  it  is  something  you  wish  him  to  become  accustomed  to  the  sight 
of.  A  horse  whose  fear  arises  from  not  being  accustomed  to  objects, 
should  not  be  treated  in  this  manner,  because  his  starting  is  merely 
owing  to  an  active  and  lively  disposition. 

The  best  way  to  reconcile  a  horse's  ear  to  the  sound  of  a  drum,  is 
by  beating  one  near  him  at  the  time  of  feeding ;  but  when  you  are 
learning  him  to  bear  this,  or  the  firing  of  a  gun,  do  it  at  some  distance 
at  first,  and  by  that  means  you  will  not  only  familiarize  him  to  it,  but 
make  it  pleasant  as  a  forerunner  of  his  meat ;  whereas  if  he  were 
forced  he  might  start  at  it  as  long  as  he  lived.  May  not  this  method 
be  applied  to  his  starting  at  other  things,  and  show  that  it  would  oe 
better  to  suffer  him,  provided  he  does  not  turn  back,  to  go  a  little  from, 
and  avoid  an  object  he  dislikes,  and  to  accustom  him  to  it  by  degrees, 
convincing  him  that  it  will  not  hurt  him,  than  to  punish  him  ? 

It  is  a  common  supposition  that  a  horse  fears  nothing  so  much  as 
his  rider,  but  this  supposition  is  not  true  ;  for  it  is  no  wonder  that  a 
horse  should  be  afraid  of  a  loaded  wagon.  May  not  the  hanging  load 
seem  to  threaten  to  fall  upon  him  ?  To  mitigate  such  timidity,  press 
your  leg  hard  on  the  opposite  side,  turning  his  head  at  the  same  time, 
and  he  will  quietly  pass. 

Is  it  not  natural  to  suppose  that  when  a  horse  is  driven  up  to  a  car- 
riage that  he  starts  at,  that  he  conceives  himself  obliged  either  to  at- 
tack or  run  against  it  ?  How  can  he  otherwise  understand  his  ride? 
when  he  spurs  him  on  with  his  face  towards  it  ?  A  hoi'se  is  easily 
alarmed,  for  he  will  even  start  from  a  hand  that  is  going  to  caress 
him ;  therefore  he  should  not  be  forced  to  that  which  he  dislikes  ;  for, 
if  he  once  gains  his  end,  he  will  repeat  that  which  has  foiled  his  rider. 
The  proper  way  is  to  use  him  to  some  tone  of  voice  which  he  may  un- 
derstand as  an  expression  of  dislike  to  what  he  is  doing,  for  in  all 
horses  there  is  a  spirit  of  opposition. 

When  you  meet  with  a  carriage  on  the  road  which  you  think  will 
frighten  your  horse,  if  you  once  let  him  know  he  is  to  pass  it,  be  sure 
you  remain  determined,  and  press  him  on,  especially  wlien  part  of 
the  carriage  is  past,  for  if  he  is  accustomed  to  tun,  round  and  go  back 
when  he  is  frightened,  he  v/ill  certainly  do  it  if  he  finds  by  your  hands 
and  legs  slackening  that  you  are  irresolute ;  and  this  at  the  most  dan- 
gerous point  of  time,  when  the  wheels  of  the  carriage  take  him  as  he 
turns.  Remember  not  to  touch  the  curb  rein  at  this  time,  for  that 
would  certainly  check  him.     Ride  with  a  snaffle,  and  if  you  have  a 


64  THE    COMPLETE    FARRIER. 

curb,  only  use  it  occasionally.  Choose  a  snaffle  that  is  full  and  thick 
in  the  mouth,  especially  at  the  ends  where  the  reins  are  fastened. 
To  regulate  the  management  of  the  curb  is  a  nice  matter — some  peo- 
ple apply  the  weight  of  the  arm  where  only  a  slight  turn  of  the  wrist 
is  required. 

Some  people  think  the  bridle  has  the  chief  power  over  a  horse, 
but  it  has  not ;  for  instance  if  the  left  spur  touch  him,  and  he  is  at 
the  same  time  prevented  from  going  forward,  he  has  a  sign  which  he 
will  soon  understand  to  move  sideways  to  the  right.  In  the  same  man- 
ner he  moves  to  the  left  if  the  right  spur  is  closed  to  him  ;  and  after- 
wards from  fear  of  the  spur  he  obeys  a  touch  of  the  leg,  in  the  same 
manner  as  a  horse  moves  his  croup  from  one  side  of  the  stall  to  the 
other  when  he  is  touched  by  the  hand.  In  short  he  will  never  disobey 
the  leg  unless  he  become  restive.  By  this  means  you  will  have  great 
power  over  him,  for  he  will  move  sideways  if  you  close  one  leg  to  him 
and  forward  if  both  ;  and  even  when  he  stands  still,  your  legs  held  near 
him  will  keep  him  on  the  watch,  and  with  the  slightest  unseen  motion 
of  the  bridle  upwards  he  will  raise  his  head  and  shew  himself  to 
advantage. 

On  this  use  of  the  rider's  legs  in  the  guidance  of  the  horse's  croup 
are  founded  all  the  airs,  as  riding  masters  call  them,  by  which  troopers 
are  taught  to  close  or  open  their  ranks,  and  indeed  all  their  evolu 
tions. 

When  a  horse  starts  and  is  flying  on  one  side,  if  you  put  your  leg 
on  that  side  it  will  stop  his  spring  immediately,  and  he  will  go  past  the 
object  he  started  at,  keeping  straight  on,  or  as  you  choose  to  direct 
him  ;  and  he  will  not  fly  back  at  anything  if  you  press  him  with  both 
your  legs. 

You  must  keep  his  haunches  under  him  when  going  down  a  hill,  and 
help  him  on  the  side  of  a  bank  more  easily  to  avoid  the  wheel  of  a 
carriage,  and  to  approach  nearer  and  more  gracefully  to  the  side  of  a 
coach  or  horseman. 

When  a  pampered  horse  curvets  irregularly,  twisting  his  body  to 
and  fro,  turn  his  head  either  to  the  right  or  left,  or  both  alternately, 
but  without  letting  him  move  out  of  his  track,  and  press  your  leg  to 
the  opposite  side  ;  he  cannot  then  spring  on  his  hind  legs  to  one  side, 
because  your  leg  prevents  him,  nor  to  the  other  because  his  head  is 
turned  that  way,  and  a  horse  does  not  start  and  spring  the  way  he 
looks. 

The  above  rules  may  be  of  some  use  to  inexperienced  horsemen,  by 
shewing  them  that  something  more  is  needful  than  what  is  taught  by 
the  breakers,  and  that  force  will  seldom,  if  ever,  make  a  horse  subser- 
vient to  his  rider. 

As  to  Nicking,  Firing,  Cropping,  and  Wrapping  a  broken  bone,  I 
must  leave  them  to  those  that  have  knowledge  of  such  things,  (r>i 
no  general  rules  can  be  given  for  them. 

THE   END 


